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Lilac Tiger

4.2 (59 reviews)
Closed • 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
Updated 2 months ago

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LILAC TIGER ATMOSPHERE

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Recommended Reviews - Lilac Tiger

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Kate M.

Lilac Tiger is such a cool spot! The vibes are off the freaking charts. I came here with some friends on a Friday night and it was pretty busy. Our server and hostess made a point to let us know that they were fully booked that day so we had a hard out at 8pm (our reservation was for 6pm so we figured we were all good! We got there before 7 so we could take advantage of their happy hour deals. They offer $12 mojitos and discounted shared plates. We started with the mojito and it was refreshing and delicious. For the food we went with the vada pav, ferrani special, fries, jalapeno hush puppies, tandoori hot chicken, and crab fried rice. The food was phenomenal. The only one that was a bit of a miss for me was the vada pav, which is essentially a potato sliders. Between the potato and brioche bun, it was just super carby and heavy. Everything else though was access. My favorites were the ferrani special, jalapeno hush puppies, and the crab fried rice. The only reason I'm knocking a star is because our server seemed super frazzled and overwhelmed. Normally I'm very sympathetic to this as someone who was a server, but it was a lot -- to the point where it was taking away from the meal. The bartender did a great job stepping in and sort of smoothing things over though, so I'll give major kudos to him!

Tiger Fries
Rahima J.

This place is so cutie and fun to come to for dinner or a happy hour! They have both indoor and outdoor seating. A full menu that has something for everyone and serves halal food as well as has NA options! The staff was very kind. My favorite from the food was the paneer dip and the Ferrani special. I'd definitely come back and try some of the other dishes here

Coconut cake
Ashley J.

Delicious food! Service was a bit lacking and restaurant indoors was rather cramped. The tables were all really tight and our server forgot parts of our order, placed the order for the wrong table, and was overall rather disgruntled when we asked for support. The food was delicious though, loved the tiger fries!!

Black Pepper Crab Noodle
Clarissa C.

Infatuation Chicago said this was their most frequented restaurant in 2025!! And the owner was a contestant on Top Chef, so I was excited! And I loveeee fusion food!! Started with the vada pav which are these Indian inspired potato croquette sliders with sesame tomato achar (which was really just a slice of tomato). This was actually delicious, and that brioche bun was some of the best fluffy and soft texture I've ever had!! Next is the tandoori hot chicken - as seen on Top Chef! This was with a scallion corn pancake like the texture of a hardened polenta but also kinda waffley textured? Not sure how to describe. The chicken was fried to perfection and very juicy inside, and I did enjoy the crunchy pickled daikon and onions. The black pepper crab noodle had the potential to be stellar!! Who doesn't love udon noodles and Brussels sprouts?? They were very generous with the crab, as every bite was coated with crab bits! I think making this more curry forward would've made it even better! Service is awesome, and this is such an eclectic and vibey store! Be prepared for loud music and a vibe!!

Mezcal drink and jalapeño hush puppies
Clara K.

Cute spot in a great location. We sat inside and had really quick service. I enjoyed my mezcal drink to start along with the jalapeño hush puppies. These had a nice spicy honey kick. The dumplings were my favorite - kind of like a soup dumpling and very flavorful. We asked for recommendation between the crab fried rice and crab noodles, and the waiter immediately recommended the latter. However, I thought the noodles were nothing special. The grilled broccoli salad was a nice flavorful side dish with the meal. I finished off our meal with a cucumber margarita, which was refreshing.

Is Tom Single? Cocktail (~$16)
Aya E.

Ordered: Is Tom Single? Cocktail (~$16): navy strength gin, sotol, junmai, papaya, cantaloupe lemonade, sparkling water, lemongrass Peychaud's L'Açai Susan Cocktail (~$18): zubrowka, strawberry sake, roasted pineapple aperitivo, montamaro, açai, coco yogurt, oat orgeat, all the spices Vada Pav (~$10): potato croquette sliders, brioche, sesame tomatillo achar Ferrani Special (~$13): nuggets, sesame, scallion, spicy honey, gochujang aioli Tandoori Hot Chicken (~$22): scallion corn hoecake, spicy honey; as seen on Top Chef Chettinad Masala w Paneer (~$22): chettinad spiced coconut, curry leaf and basmati cumin rice Aya's take: Lilac Tiger is serving elevated Indian street food in a space that's super eclectic and colorful. They are walk-in only and we were quoted 45 minutes for a party of 2. To our surprise, 10 mins later, we got the text that our table was ready! The menu isn't that big but I found it difficult to decide on what to get. We landed on the Vada Pov and Ferrani Special for starters. I will say that the Ferrani Special and Tandoori Hot Chicken were so similar that it almost felt like a waste to get both! I wish our waitress had told us beforehand! The chicken is well-seasoned, smoky, and incredibly crispy. I would favor the Tandoori Hot Chicken as it also comes with the scallion corn hoecake which was sweet, soft, and buttery. Two fried chicken dishes is just overkill honestly. The Vada Pov was a great try and I think my first time trying this street food classic! The potato croquette was perfect and I liked the freshness of the tomato. It could have used a crema but otherwise, not much to complain about. The Chettinad Masala w Paneer was super aromatic, smoky, and herbaceous. I've never had paneer in the shape of balls but somehow they kept the integrity of the paneer and added a crisp layer on the outside. So good! The basmati rice was overwhelmed with cumin seeds. I love cumin but it didn't need it in every single bite. Less is definitely more and I wish the rice was a bit fluffier as well. The cocktail menu rotates frequently but both cocktails we tried were light, fruity, and not overly sweet. If that's also your palate, you would like these! I was expecting this spot to hit more but nonetheless, considering it's a small menu, you can't go wrong with any dish here. Check them out!

Kancil sang cocktail
Melanie T.

Always a good vibe! I've been here 2-3 times now for drinks and bites and it consistently delivers tasty and unique cocktails and food offerings. I love the South Asian flavors. They recently changed their menu, which was pink and fairytale themed I believe. Recently I ordered a Sang Kancil cocktail, which had exciting flavors (including pandan jackfruit meringue) and a nice balance of sweetness. My friends ordered some bites and said they were good, though an incorrect dish was brought out. We let them know and they brought the correct one. However they ended up charging us for the wrong one, which we didn't notice until later. The ambience is perfect for a night out with friends. I love that this is a place where you could dress up for a night out or come casual or as you are, and feel like you fit in. The interior is small with limited seating but it's intimate and moody with the dim lighting and colorful walls. The music is loud enough to have a good time but not too loud that you feel like you're straining your voice yelling. They played some great throwback songs for the millennials. Outside they have a moderately sized patio which is also colorfully decorated. Overall a very fun bar and perfect location on Division in wicker park!

Tiger vibe
Julie C.

This little place packs a big punch! We had a memorable evening at Lilac Tiger due to its fun vibe, friendly service, creative cocktails, and flavor-bomb food. Service was great start to finish, from our initial welcome at the door to our server, Noah, who gave us awesome recommendations. We ordered the tandoori honey chicken and beef chapati kabob, plus a pink is the new pink cocktail to start. Both entrees were excellent, but the kabob was a revelation: packed with herbs and accompanied by mint chutney, raita, and a crispy, delicious roti, they were bursting with flavor and my favorite dish of the night. The cocktail was pretty and potent, complex and fruity without being overly sweet. The chicken was amazingly crispy, and the dish was sweeter than I expected but still great. We were stuffed but couldn't resist the Thai tea tiramisu for dessert. The tiramisu was a very close second as best dish of the evening, and I loved the flavor of the Thai tea balanced with coffee. I find it tricky to capture the atmosphere in words. Maybe cool, urban tiki bar? Plenty of purple, including some neon, but still a place you can chill. I liked it. The music was prominent but you can carry on a conversation with raising your voice. I thought Lilac Tiger was the whole package. It's a hole-in-the-wall gem that you might miss if you walk by too quickly. I recommend slowing down and stopping in for a great time.

Vada Pav
Michelle G.

My friends and I came to Lilac Tiger for happy hour and had such a good time. We particularly loved their happy hour food deals, including the vada pav, tiger fries, and chicken dish. I thought it was great, yummy snacking food for drinks but probably wouldn't go out of my way to eat here again. A good spot for drinks especially in the summer - although I personally am glad we were able to eat outdoors because the music was So Loud inside, like lose your hearing without ear protection loud and not good for catching up.

Tamarind Crab Noodle
Nirsh A.

I love this place, we went when we were visiting . They have some amazing fusion dishes. I really enjoyed my crab noodles and honey tandoori fried chicken. I would definitely recommend they also have outside seating, which is nice on a good weather day.

Esmeralda L.

Pleasantly surprised to grab a walk in on a Saturday night. Service was good. Had the P.S. I kinda like you drink, their version of a porn star martini, it was my favorite thing of the night by far!

Sichuan Calamari
Christopher V.

While I admit Indian cuisines aren't my favorite, Lilac Tiger was disappointing. I found the dishes lacking in flavor across the board. Wild I know for Indian dishes known for the heavy use of spices. Perhaps they've watered down the flavors to better appeal to the American palette. I wouldn't decline an invite from a friend, but I also wouldn't suggest again if I'm making the plans. 3.3 stars.

Crab noodles and meatballs
Ismam I.

Their staff is incredible, they really make you feel welcome and have great recommendations. The recommended something not on the menu and that was our favorite, the meatballs. All the food was great, and it's a cool vibe inside as well.

Sichuan calamari

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Ask the Community - Lilac Tiger

Does Coach House have vegetarian options?

Yes - for Coach House when you make the reservation, you can choose for the full tasting menu, vegetarian tasting menu, or they now appear to even have a pescatarian tasting menu

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Bisous - interior

Bisous

4.4(129 reviews)
1.5 mi•Fulton Market, West Loop, Near West Side

Bisous is a Parisian-inspired romantic cocktail lounge in Fulton Market, and it delivers on…read moreatmosphere and craft. The cocktail menu mixes clever plays on classics with their own signature creations, and everything we tried was fantastic. It's no surprise they were named one of the 50 Best Bars in North America for 2026. I had what might be the best pink squirrel I've ever had: creamy, balanced, and a perfect take on the classic. We also tried one of their freezer martinis, which was beautifully cold, exactly how a martini should be. I can't wait to get back and work my way through more of the menu. If you're in Chicago and want a date-night spot or just a really well-made drink, put Bisous on your list.

I had a really positive experience at Bisous back in February when I went with my family. The…read morebartender paid attention to us, the cocktails were well made, and we left in a good mood. Because of that, I decided to stop by again on a recent Sunday evening around 7pm. The second visit was completely different. We got there early, knowing it would probably get busier later. Even so, tables near the bar stayed open the entire time we were there. Instead of seating us up front, they put us in the back area by ourselves, where there was no dedicated server. We basically had to wait until the bartender happened to look over and notice us before we could order. He was friendly when he came by, but having to rely on random glances from the bar is not how service should work. The drinks themselves were on the sweet side but acceptable. The bigger issue was the seating and the lack of attention. We were left alone in the back while open seats closer to the bar remained empty the whole night. I don't want to assume the hostess or manager treated us differently because we're Asian, but the decision felt strange and left us without real service. That person should be retrained or let go. Given how good the first visit was, this one was disappointing enough that I won't be coming back or recommending the place.

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Bisous - Interior

Interior

Bisous - Interior bar

Interior bar

Bisous - Freezer Martini - Morning Blossom - Gin Lane Old Tom, Koval Gin, Smoked Mango Brandy, Blanc and Dry Vermouths cold & curious

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Freezer Martini - Morning Blossom - Gin Lane Old Tom, Koval Gin, Smoked Mango Brandy, Blanc and Dry Vermouths cold & curious

Dearly Beloved - Zeal without the rest

Dearly Beloved

4.3(139 reviews)
1.9 mi•Near North Side
•$$$

We went to Dearly Beloved for my birthday and it was such a fun night. The lounge is beautiful --…read morevelvet, chandeliers, and just a really cool, cozy atmosphere. It felt like the perfect place for a birthday celebration. The dirty martini was honestly the best I've ever had, and we happened to go during happy hour so the half-off appetizers were a great bonus. The owner and waitstaff were all so friendly and welcoming, which made the night even better. We had such a great time and I'm already looking forward to going back!

I'm not quite sure why this place has pretty good reviews. Overall, it's pretty average. We came…read morefor happy hour and sat outside. While the table was on the sidewalk it was slightly set off and not on a busy street, so that was nice. While I only went inside to use the restroom, the vibes are interesting... I had their aperol spritz and it was okay. It was strong which was good. Then a pornstar martini. I thought the pornstar martini was really good and the best item of the evening. We shared oysters, the crab dip, and tuna tartare. The oysters were alright. The crab dip was funky. It was a bit fishy and maybe too heavy on the dill? I'm not sure but something was a bit off. The tuna tartare tasted fresh and was a good combination of flavors. It would be the only food item I'd reorder from the happy hour menu.

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Dearly Beloved - A SHEEP IN WOLF'S CLOTHING - the miracle berry pixi stick transforms sour into sweet.

A SHEEP IN WOLF'S CLOTHING - the miracle berry pixi stick transforms sour into sweet.

Dearly Beloved - Interior

Interior

Dearly Beloved - Bubbles

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Sparrow - Bar area Hotel Nacional

Sparrow

4.3(350 reviews)
2.2 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

Valedor - Bar area

Valedor

4.5(98 reviews)
0.6 mi•Wicker Park, West Town

Valedor is the perfect venue for a date night or celebration. The interior is moody and intimate…read morewith gorgeous chandeliers throughout. Our group thoroughly enjoyed their Mexican & Japanese fusion cuisine (make sure to go for their happy hour deals). If you enjoy a sweet cocktail, try the strawberry sakerita. It was the perfect pairing with the gouda katsu, karaage, and spicy salmon crispy rice. They also gave our group celebratory shots for celebrating a birthday there with the cutest fireworks alongside them. Their service in general was top tier and our waiter did a phenomenal job. I look forward to returning and trying more items on their menu.

The service here is incredible. The bartenders are very talented and the host is so sweet…read more The place is so pretty and makes you feel like you're in a true speakeasy. It has very comfy seats even at the bar. Their happy is great and is available everyday except Mondays when they're closed. Their lychee martini is really good and comes with cotton candy on the glass, which I really love. My partner rated this 8.5/10. Their espresso martini is pretty good but the Carajillo martini takes the cake. That's my go-to drink now when I visit. I also tried the Sakerita flight, which is a margarita made with sake. The Sakerita flavors were strawberry (8/10 made with real strawberry puree) I think it could've been less sweet, cucumber (7/10 the cucumber puree is strong with this one), and passion fruit (4/10). I usually like passion fruit but this one was really bitter and sour. The chicken Karaage was perfectly crispy and juicy but I didn't not like the dips that came along with it. But I'm not a sauce person usually so take that part with a grain of salt. The Quesobirria rolls were perfectly seasoned and juicy. The consomé dip was sooo good and flavorful. I don't usually like birria but this is immaculate and I definitely recommend getting this. The outside was also very crispy but not too crispy. The tuna pone tacos were immaculate. No complaints. I love this spot and I'm ready to become a regular here.

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Valedor - Strip Steak Katsu Sandwich

Strip Steak Katsu Sandwich

Valedor - Crispy Cilantro Lime Rice with spicy salmon

Crispy Cilantro Lime Rice with spicy salmon

Valedor - We love Lychee

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Truce - The cocktails are legit

Truce

4.8(55 reviews)
1.0 mi•Bucktown

Coffee and cocktails. Do we really need anything else? With standard hours ranging from 8 AM to…read moreMidnight most days, Truce has got you covered, whatever the mood. Very clever drink list. With mixology being all the rage for the last 20+ years, I almost feel like it's hard to come up with a new drink concept these days. Truce shows that creativity in the world of booze is alive and well, and I count myself lucky to have had a taste. The 'Peas + Carrots' was a surprise win. Scotch, blanco tequila, sochu, carrot, snap pea, ginger, and kukicha. Sounds bizarre as hell, but it absolutely works. I also had a 'Final Say,' a spin on a classic featuring gin, clementine, fino, galliano, turmeric, black pepper, and lemon. The 'I Can't Believe It's Beer' has everything from mezcal and rooibos tea to guava and an aperitivo. I could ramble on about their menu, but I'd say just check Truce out yourself. You get what I'm saying. Their creative juices are clearly flowing, and they switch the menu up seasonally. They have some light bites too, but I really recommend them for cocktails and coffee. I wouldn't come here for dinner. They do drinks, so come here to drink. Plenty of very savvy-sounding N/A options, too. It's sleek, intimate, sexy, relaxed, and fun. Come through at 8 AM for a cocktail, roll through at 11 PM for a coffee, there's no judgment here. I'll be keeping an eye on Truce.

Wow, Truce is my ideal concept of a space. It's a coffeeshop by day and cocktail bar by night. I…read morecame in during the day on a Thursday to get some work done, and it was such a cool environment. The ambiance is dark and moody inside, but I liked the music they had playing, and there was plenty of seating. They also had free Wi-Fi and outlets! Everything on their menu looked insanely good. I went with the B-A-N-A-N-A-S--it was very tasty, and the banana taste was very strong. It was definitely on the sweeter side so more of a dessert drink, but I enjoyed it. Everything on their menu looked so delicious and well thought out, so I definitely hope to try their other drinks! The service was very fast and friendly. I recommend this spot--will need to be back to try out their drinks in the future! FYI, they become 21+ after 5pm.

Photos
Truce - Cortado

Cortado

Truce
Truce - Truce mix and cocktails

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Truce mix and cocktails

Lilac Tiger - indpak - Updated November 2026

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