All staff should be aware of reservation policy, this would have been a better experience. The food and service was great!

I was introduced to Mahari on Tik Tok and it def peaked our interest. We visited on a Sunday night. Surprising parking wasn't hard to find at all. Which is rare for Hyde park. I'd never been to this little cove of businesses. We had a warm greeting at the door. Walking inside I felt like I was at a Rich Aunties house. IYKYK. Super warm decor with hints of culture all around. The food overall was good. We started with the pineapple wings. They had a balanced flavor. The amount of protein was a bit disappointing for the price. We received 5 winglettes for $18. Even with the sauce and fresh fruit.... At least up it to 6 pieces to equate 3 whole wings. The steak from the platter appeared to be a skirt steak or a similar cut. It was seared pieces. The jollof was good and not too spicy AT ALL. I'd get the dish again. The Pollo and beans... beans were great... I want to try and make mine like that. The chicken was charred toooooo much. A large portion of the skin was too burnt to eat. Again, the amount of protein didn't match the cost. Although it was a hearty thigh. It was just one thigh with the meal, I feel a 1/4 chicken would be better received the price point. For dessert we ordered the sorbet snd the key lime pie. The sorbet was good! Not too sweet at all and pinch of kick. The keylime pie was RICH Our waitress Ivory was super kind and very knowledgeable. Overall - Will I visit Mahari again? Yes, most definitely...that Rasta Pasta is next on my list....but so far I'd pass on the chicken dishes. read more

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The best thing about this restaurant was the decor and the company I brought with me because the food here was just alright. I asked the waitress to recommend something and when she did I asked her why she was recommending it and she didn't seem too well versed on the menu so I ordered what she told me was the most popular item. Sorrel juice was lovely. I had the jollof platter with steak. The jollof rice was a bit too firm/overcooked for me (coming from a person who ate jollof rice for 7 years straight from actual West African recipes). The steak was nice and the sauce that came with it was also quite nice. The salad that came with it was so generic it tasted like lettuce out of a bag with store-bought bottled salad dressing sprinkled on top. Nothing fancy about that salad at all, which was okay, but could have been less generic. Plantains were nice, though. My food came out significantly later than the rest of my party of 4 and one of them had the same thing I did. My experience here was just okay. The thing that put a bad taste in my mouth is after we walked in and sat down, someone immediately took our water requests, then we had a new waitress come shortly after and she began to take our drink orders. But that wasn't the issue; the problem for me is that after the woman who took our water orders first tried to inform her coworker that she had already taken our orders. Then the waitress brushed her off and said to us "I don't know what she was talking about". I had to tell her that she was probably trying to communicate that she already took our requests. But why dismiss your coworker and not try to hear what she was saying to you when it most likely had to do with the guests you are serving? I'm a guest and we already told them we had visitors from out of the country and I hadn't explored the Chicago dinner scene in Hyde Park for over a decade-- why she tampered with my experience with coworker drama, I don't know. It was unprofessional to me. I don't think I'll be back for anything other than the Sorrell juice and plantains and maybe if I could have it at the bar so I don't have to deal with staff drama, lol. read more

Mahari - Jollof platter with steak - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Ambiance is quaint, colorful and charming. I knew nothing about this place nor its reputation so I approached with an open mind. It was a Sunday afternoon and the menu looked like breakfast/brunch. I was a bit shocked at the prices! Shrimp & grits was $44! I ordered scrambled eggs with chicken sausage and "potatoes"... if they had coffee I didn't notice that, but I got a glass of wine... no menu to indicate choices but I was told they'd see what they had. The eggs were well prepared and that's where it ends. The chicken sausage was more reminiscent of polish sausage and the potatoes were small roasted potatoes that rolled off the plate when he set it down... tasteless. Don't see any "Kenyan" influence in this plate. Perhaps brunch isn't their strength, debatable if I'll return to try dinner... it's lacking cohesion and not a particularly comfortable place... no waiting area yet there's a hostess station for just a handful of tables. Doesn't live up to its pricing, sorry! read more

Between the food, the vibe, and the energy, Mahari definitely delivers. The Pineapple Wings were crispy with a sweet & tangy heat And the Lamb Burger was.Juicy, flavorful, and unforgettable The stuffed plantains were too spicy for my liking but if you like heat, these are for you Don't skip this one when you're in Chicago! read more

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We tried this place for our wedding anniversary as we wanted to try a cuisine new to us. We made a reservation ahead in time and we were greeted with a warm smile at the entrance and the hostess wished us a happy anniversary. Our server was also very sweet, educated us about the cuisine and helped us choose our order based on our preferences. Looking around, there were a few African couples and families dining there which assured us that the food is liked by the people who know the cuisine well. I did however feel that the food was a bit on the pricier side. All in all it was a good experience and we were happy with the food and the service. I cannot say with high confidence that we will return, primarily because we live quite a distance away. read more

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My Mahari experience was unbelievable! Prior to visiting, I had heard nothing about this establishment, but my buddy wanted to try it during Black Restaurant Week. Every employee in that space gave us a smile from the moment we walked in. We were seated quickly upon entry; the place isn't big but the layout is a pleasant vibe. For those who just want adult beverages, they have a small bar area in the back, but we stuck to the dining room for this trip. For restaurant week Mahari offered a 3-course deal for $60. Every dish that touched my mouth was phenomenal. My starter was the naan; I didn't know naan could be savory, but they drizzled it with something (honey?) and it was ridiculously tasty. Next was the mushroom satay (solid) and the main course was the steak jollof (super tasty.) For dessert I had the bread pudding, and I'm still dreaming that tasty moistness. I washed this down with two drinks: the first was the afrodisiac (soooo good) and the next was a edelberry infused beverage (not bad.) As an FYI - my homie tried the okra, and that was the best okra I've ever had (and I didn't usually care for it.) Another thing I tried was this fried salmon ball dish... It was super good Listen when I was done, I was so full that I could barely move. A member of the staff came over and mentioned that when you order a la carte the portions are a tad bigger. At that point I cried tears of joy, because it ensured my return visit. Highly recommend. read more

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So happy that we tried Mehari in the Hyde Park neighborhood. We were looking for one place to have lunch for Chicago restaurant week to end our restaurant week event events. And we picked this place. It's so nice that they have a parking lot so that you don't have to worry about looking for parking or paying for parking. The creole, African Latin soul food Fusion Vibe was really nice. You can tell they were super intentional about a lot of things in the restaurant. My favorite dish was the honey naan bread and the pineapple wings were delicious. We ordered a side of the jollof rice it had a good flavor, but the temperature was not as warm as some of the other food that we had. We also tried the lamb burger, and the salmon cala. The salmon collar was more rice than salmon. It had nice flavors, but wasn't really all that to me. The lamb burger was flavorful and delicious. We ordered cocktails, but they missed the mark for me. I like a well balanced cocktail. It just seemed like it was missing something. We ordered that Keylime pie. You can tell it was made with love. It was extremely delicious. Overall, I definitely recommend trying, and I will go back. they overall have really good customer service. They just need to work on the food consistency and drinks. read more

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Mahari - Hyde Park, Chicago (4/10/26) 3.5/5 (7.1/10) The food at Mahari was the highlight--bold, layered flavors that kept building with each dish. You can tell there's real creativity coming out of the kitchen. Unfortunately, the service didn't match the quality of the food. On a busy Friday night, it felt like the staff was overwhelmed. Long waits for both food and drinks, little to no communication, and basic things like water refills were completely missed. One of the waitresses, Ashley, did try to step in and improve the experience, which was appreciated--but by then, the overall experience had already taken a hit. Hoping this was just an off night, because the food alone makes this place worth another shot. read more

Mahari - Menu - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My first impression walking in was cute decor and quaint. I suggest reservations due to no waiting area if you walk in. The music selection was spot on but very loud so it made everyone else talk louder. My friend and I shared plates one of us ordered the seafood etouffee with chicken sausage and the other ordered the platter with steak. The presentation of the food was perfect. The etouffee had good flavor but it was more of a gumbo/soup. I'm used to etouffee being in a thicker sauce similar to jambalaya. The platter with medium well steak came out cooked to perfection and tender, unfortunately it was lacking flavor. There was also salmon on my dish about 2oz. I ate a small piece and when I went to cut into the middle I noticed it was not cooked all the way. I informed the owner Lisa and showed her, no type of compensation. They also add a 20% gratuity to parties of 2+. read more

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Mahari is a Kenyan restaurant serving African fusion items. I came in with a group of friends and were seated quickly. The menu has items inspired from foods all around the continent and you could tell the chef was well versed in all the different flavors. Everything we had was amazing. 10/10 for everything we had. The food took a little while to come out but overall the vibes were good and the music was good. The chef ended up coming to our table and introduced himself and asked our opinions of everything we had. He listened to everything we had to say and even brought out dessert for us on the house. Needless to say, we will definitely be back! read more

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I highly recommend mahari one of the newer restaurants in Hyde park. Bringing a fusion of African flavors under one menu. It is a wonderful and we got excellent service from when we walked in, to the wait staff, and when we left. It's a great blend of soul food, creole, Caribbean, while blending fine dining techniques. Joloff platter was delicious it comes with your choice of protein, rice, Mann bread, and plantains. A great dish with excellent flavor I really loved the plantains. I also tried the rah-Sta pasta. It had some unique flavors to it in the coconut cream sauce. This was a great culinary experience and they also make great and unique drinks. This is a wonderful neighborhood spot in the Hyde park area featuring an overall great menu with a great dining experience. read more

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I have dined at Mahari at least five times, and the food is always phenomenal. The drinks are pricey but they are also strong and really good. On very busy evenings, the service can be slow. But, again, the food is fantastic and the decor is gorgeous. Also, regardless of speed, the service has been friendly every time I've been there. Mahari is a great addition to the neighborhood and I really hope it sticks around for a long time. read more

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Update on Mahari...went solo this time and it was a whole vibe. I sat at the bar and had an amazing experience again. The bartenders were great, especially Kenzie she was attentive, friendly, and clearly knows what she's doing. I wasn't even planning to drink, but she made me a Sidecar that was so good I ended up ordering two. One of the best I've had. They also brought out a special dish that isn't on the regular menu, and I need them to add it permanently. It had a coconut, curry-like undertone with peppers and red snapper (though it almost gave salmon vibes), topped with crispy onions. Every single bite was divine...easily one of the best dishes I've had there. I even ended up chatting with someone else at the bar, and the whole atmosphere was just easy, warm, and fun. The team does their signature drum performance and toast, and the owners are always welcoming. This was my second visit...the lamb burger was great before, but this special dish topped everything. Highly recommend checking out Mahari. When they have specials, go. You won't regret it. read more

Mahari - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stopped in for happy hour last night and had an amazing time. We had the happy hour offerings of wings, the salmon fritters and the lamb burger. OMG the lamb burger was amazing and the contrast of all of the different flavors (Gouda, pineapple, lamb) stole the show. We also had a few cocktails that was well prepared and yummy. The ambiance is super chic and cute. Service was attentive and welcoming. Definitely will be back to try dinner soon. read more

Mahari was honestly such a great place to celebrate my birthday with friends. The food was the highlight for sure. Everything looked beautiful when it came out and tasted even better. You can tell a lot of care goes into the preparation and the flavors felt really authentic and thoughtful. The service was also really attentive and welcoming the whole time. They made the night feel special in a simple, genuine way, which I really appreciated. Overall just a great experience and a really strong spot if you want excellent food and a nice atmosphere for a celebration or dinner with friends. Definitely planning to go back. read more

Mahari - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had been trying to dine here since they opened (had to cancel 3 previous reservations). I finally was able to dine here when I took my cousin to lunch for his birthday in March. One word review....... EXCELLENT!!!! The service: Excellent! The atmosphere: Excellent! The owners: Excellent! The culture: Excellent! The education: Excellent The art: Excellent! Last, but NEVER LEAST.... The FOOD: Excellent! I can't wait to try their Brunch and Dinner menus! I 100% recommend Mahari and would give it more stars if I could.... and I will be back! EXCELLENT! read more

So glad Mahari has come to Hyde park! We get take out- one day soon I hope to dine in. It's always been easy to order and wait for food. The staff are all wonderful. The food is divinity. I can still taste the sweet-savory-slight kick spiciness of the food. The bread pudding is a must try. Must. There's so much on the menu for people with different preferences. There's really something for everyone! Writing this review makes me want to go back pronto. See you soon Mahari :) read more

Mahari - Bread pudding - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This was my second visit here. The food and service were amazing once again! I didn't have a reservation, but there was space at the bar. I got the jollof platter with steak. Everything on the plate was delicious. They even did a small performance to acknowledge birthdays and other celebrations. It was dope. read more

Mahari - Monmon Bread Pudding - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I went to Mahari during black restaurant week, so they had a special which was four courses for about $60. The inside of the restaurant is kind of small, but it is decorated beautifully. The owner told us that many of the items inside were handmade, including the tiles on the wall. I would recommend having a a reservation because of how small the restaurant is and how crowded it was on a Saturday night. The service in the restaurant was good. Our waitress was very attentive and came to check on us at a normal rate. I will say that the kitchen moved a little slowly because we found ourselves waiting for the first course and the last course for an extensive amount of time. I will say that they went to check on our food multiple times, but it didn't always come out right after they checked. This is really the only problem that I had with the restaurant. The food here was amazing! For the first course, I had naan bread covered in a sweet and spicy sauce, which I couldn't get enough of. For the second course, I had chicken wings, which were very tender, and I liked the spicy sauce on top. For the third course, I had the Suya platter with steak, and it was more food than I expected. The steak was cooked perfectly, and it came with jollof rice, naan, a small salad, and fried plantain. For the final course, I ordered the bread pudding, which was delicious. My mom did not like her sorbet, so we switched I enjoyed the sorbet, but I would only recommend ordering it if you like a strong ginger flavor another thing I would like to note , the sorbet was more icy than creamy. I know there is no milk products in sorbet, but it felt like the sorbet was ginger and hibiscus blended up with ice and frozen. I enjoyed it, but that is something to be aware of. I will say that I think they should work on the presentation of their food because it did come out a little messy, but the flavors were delicious. read more

I cannot choose zero stars but I would. I had a 7:30 reservation, arrived around 7:25, was sat immediately, order a drink that I had to place twice before receiving. I ordered my food around 7:45. It is now 9:09 and I still haven't received my food. The reason given was a printing issue. What? If you actually want to eat, don't come here. read more

Where do I begin? When you make a reservation here, you have to provide a credit card in case of no-shows or cancellations. While I was out on a Wednesday night, I noticed a $75 charge from the restaurant. I called several times and left a message, then followed up with an email to Hanae (Director of Operations). She responded quickly, refunded the charge, and even came to our table that night to introduce herself and give me a hug. That gesture stood out and was truly appreciated. When we arrived, the restaurant was fairly empty. The male host with braids acted as if we had seating options, but when we requested not to sit by the door--which was wide open and letting in pollen--he made it seem like we couldn't be accommodated, even though we pointed to a similar table away from the draft. Two of us have bad allergies, so this was important. He also told us the left side of the restaurant was closed, yet not long after, we saw another group seated exactly there. That felt off--strike two. Our server was wonderful--attentive and warm. However, it was uncomfortable to keep noticing the host staring at us and whispering. We dine out often, and this was definitely an odd vibe. On the plus side, the drinks were strong (how we like them!) and delicious. My friends enjoyed the sambusas, and I had the lamb burger. It had a nice flavor, though the sauces leaned on the sweeter side. Also note: they add a 20% gratuity for parties of two or more. Free parking is always a bonus in the city. There were definitely highs and lows--customer service from management was top-tier, but the front-of-house energy left something to be desired. read more

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I was told to come and experience a dine session here if I visit Chicago so I did. We did have a reservation for earlier in the day we had to cancel due to time permissions. We still took the chance to do a walk in later that evening which I am glad we did. We were greeted pleasantly! Although we had no reservation we were accommodated in a timely fashion. We sat at the bar in the mean time and had drinks. One thing I am grateful for is the level of hospitality this place has, making sure everyone in that space is having a good time and enjoying their food is a big priority at this establishment . Ok so now for the food , bc our drinks were very good. By the way we ordered a pina colada and margarita which each had their own twist to it. Now for the food we wanted to try a few things so we did that's is how you do it anyway when it is your first time and from out of town lol. We participated in the restaurant week menu, $60 pp which was very reasonable. Hanesha honey naan, mahari house salad, mushroom satay, and pineapple wings to start. All dishes were very flavorful. The mushrooms surprisingly I loved the way they were prepared ,great! The wings had a nice kick to it. Salad wa fresh and the sweet touch on the naan was tasty! For our main dishes we went with the stuffed plantain dish and the pollo n frioles both had a nice kick to it and delish! Lastly for desserts the mon mon bread pudding and sorrel sorbet were so bomb!!! Anything sorrel I love! My friend mentioned to staff that it was my birthday , there was a mini celebration which was so cute the drums and music! I am so happy I was able to experience Mahari it was well worth it !Such a beautiful space! read more

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Came in at 12 on a Saturday- we came for restaurant week for the $30 lunch but apparently it's only on weekdays, though not advertised as such. We met our friends there who were sat for a few minutes before we came - one of them ordered a decaf coffee before we arrived. We order food around 12:10-12:15. My boyfriend ordered the strata. At 12:23 the waiter says hey the strata isn't going to be ready until 12:30, is that okay? And we're like yeah sure that's no issue. Then the three of us besides my boyfriend got our food a few minutes later. Maybe around 12:45 is when our friend gets his decaf coffee. We all finish our food and we're stillll waiting for the strata. Our water cups sat empty for a long time and the waiter didn't give us updates or ask if we wanted more drinks or coffee or anything. We had to ask for water refill and we asked for coffee refill but never got it. Then finally at 1:13 we get the strata. He said sorry for the wait but the apology for such a long wait was underwhelming. We were charged full price including the coffees (should have been comped) and the automatic 20% gratuity. We would have preferred to leave no tip given the lack of service. The biggest joke is a woman sat across from us halfway through the whole ordeal and ordered a strata, and then got it 10 minutes later. read more

We booked a Sunday noonish reservation thinking we would get the Restaurant week $30 lunch menu. When we arrived and sat however, we were informed that they were ONLY serving Brunch and would not honor the Restaurant week menu! I was already a little skeptical about the 20% rule: they AUTOMATICALLY charge 20% gratuity for parties bigger than 2. (Yes the number TWO). The RW menu was meant for weekdays. The printout read '11-3' lunch, but the chef announced it was their first time in Restaurant week, so we tried to be understanding. I was not happy about that, but they did have what I was going to order, the Lamb Burger with pineapple slaw. We did not get drinks, just bottled Spring water and Diet Coke. My party ordered the Bayou strata. (an egg and bread casserole) and plantains. There appeared to be 1 or 2 hardworking waitstaff in a full house, so there was a kind of delay for food and drinks. Maybe this is why there is an automatic gratuity? At some point the chef came out, greeted everyone, and mentioned the Restaurant week participation, and told us everything around us was handmade. It is a nicely organized place (I think Le Petit Folie used to be here) but rather 'intimate'. There are booths for larger parties. The bathroom was 1 at a time and clean, nicely decorated, but there is only 1 Unisex available. The food was very good, the lamb burger was well made, and the pineapple/slaw flavors mixed well. What I was NOT fond of was the potato wedges/hash that came with it. The menu read 'Yucca Frites'; the waitress explained that they only serve potato wedges during brunch. Another miscommunication, as the Brunch menu CLEARLY states Yucca Frites. We ordered the bread pudding to share. It was thick with cream sauce, and very good. The lunch plates had not been cleared before dessert, that's a bit of a 'thing' with me, but it was quite busy on a Sunday. When the waitress bought the bill, she asked if we would consider ADDING an additional cost to the gratuity?? She explained that the gratuity is in a 'pot' that goes, I assume, to the other staff (food runners, bartender). I complied as I am sure waiting is hard work and she was professional, but next time I'm out I'd rather only have to pay 20% when I know I am in a large party. read more

Mahari offers a wide spread of great dishes with several options for everyone. It is truly beautiful inside. The staff is so sweet and accommodating to our needs. We came for brunch and ordered the bread pudding, french toast flambé, suya steak and eggs, and espresso cafe ube martinis. The Suya Steak and Eggs were made to perfection it was filled with a lot of flavor, you simply cannot go wrong with choosing this dish. The French toast was paired well with the plantains. If you are a coffee drinker I suggest to get the espresso ube cafe martinis, as someone who is filipina they did very well with this drink. The bread pudding was my favorite way to end our meal it wasn't too sweet either which I really enjoyed. Overall we had a great experience the chef did an amazing job. It truly felt comforting eating their food, you can tell they made it with love. read more

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Literally the most amazing, genuine and best service. Food and vibes were absolutely amazing. Please go here! read more

Mahari - creole seafood - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I REALLY wanted to like this place. they are local and had some great reviews. A friend and I did brunch about a month ago. It was a not so nice weather day so the place was not crowded (as a back up, I also made reservations). It's super cute inside; great set up. However the service was REALLY slow (could not get why seeing that they place was half empty). And food was bland, over priced, small portions and under whelming. We both got the Suya Steak and eggs (when we requested cheese in our eggs, the only cheese they have is American cheese, with btw my friend got little or none in her order) Naan Cakes and coffee. Our bill came to $130; keep in mind we did not order any alcohol. We later found out that put gratuity on our bill (20%) without informing us. I'm actually a great tipper because I worked in the service industry in my younger years have no problem with tipping 20% - 25%; but not when I'm forced to hunt down my server. It was an ordeal when we asked for basic items like salt, pepper, hot/tabasco sauce (also did not have that; how do you NOT have basic condiments with the price point you are charging????). And the steak was just okay; not tender and just bland. I wish them well, but I will not be coming back. There are too many other places where I can have a nice, relaxing brunch for that price point. read more

The food was decent but seemed a little overpriced for what it was. Service was painfully slow on a Friday night. It took so long before someone came to take our order that we almost left. We had to ask for silverware twice before we got it. The server was friendly enough but didn't have any sense of urgency. I could see other customers getting annoyed with the pace too. read more

I love the vibe - ethnic food while listening to Odeal while smelling incense and fresh seafood. The main chef is Haitian. Our server was Magic and he was great - made us feel at home. My favorites were the wings, the smoked rum pineapple coconut drink and the hibiscus ginger sorbet! read more

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Wonderful restaurant. Good vibes, food, people, and community engagement. The chef and team are very knowledgeable about varied cuisines. I look forward to coming back! read more

We paid a ticket for an event with a tasting menu and entertainment that was incorrectly advertised. We were disappointed in that but pushed through. This is a new restaurant so I will always show grace as they work out the kinks. With that being said, I appreciated the theme menu and limited options so that I could sample everything. For me the best item was the lamb burger, full of flavors that developed more with each bite. The picklez gave it a kick and the grilled slice of pineapple was the chef's kiss. The Yuka fries were a great compliment with a touch of salt. My vegan hubby had the vegan soup which was very small for $15 but full of flavor. It was a comforting sample with gifts of cubed sweet potato or squash, not sure but we both loved the flavor. Now the restaurant is absolutely beautiful with soo many details that quickly draw your eyes. The music is perfect with the lighting and food smells. It was a very lively Hyde Park atmosphere great with cocktails. Based on the concept and the high attention to detail of the aesthetics, I was excited to taste the food but was disappointed in most items. I look forward to returning in a few months as they grow out of the new opening stages. read more

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I came in there today (08/22) and had a reservation at 8pm. I sat down was greeted and ordered my food and drinks. I did not get my drink till 8:43pm and also they were not busy at all. At the bar area there were two ladies sitting there and the bartender was busy chatting instead of making the drinks. The server was really sweet but the other staff members must stop distracting others and get the customers orders out. It's my first time here and I really wanted to come out and support a Black owned business but it reminded me of a similar experience at the Eko Restaurant in NY. read more

For appetizers we had the Fennel & Apple Salad and the Mushroom Satay, both were tasty. For mains we had the Prawns & Polenta, and the Stuffed Plantain, both had a good balance between sweet and heat. Looking forward to returning to try the highly recommended pineapple wings and bread pudding. read more

This is an amazing choice for our last dinner in Chicago! Upon entry, I felt the culture. I love that the vibe and menu offerings were not traditional soul food, but still SOUL food. All staff encountered were professional & welcoming. All selections were literally rating between a 4.5 to 4.7 on a scall of 5 (5 being excellent). Some cocktails could have been better, but did not take away from the overall experience of our party of 6. Juice drinks were unique and presented well. I highly recommend & will definitely return to this establishment. Kudos!! I only wish there was something like this in Lexington, KY. read more

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars I had an exceptional night at Mahari in Hyde Park--from the ambiance to the last sip of my cocktail, everything felt thoughtfully crafted. I particularly had an amazing Old Fashioned made by Krissy, and that alone deserves a glorious shoutout. The service was AMAZING read more

Mahari - Jon Basil Repo Brown Sugar Old Fashioned - African Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Well let's see where to begin. The waitress said she would be back for our drink order in a couple of minutes which turned into 20mins and someone else came to take the order. Then it took another 20mins to get the drink. More than 1 person kept coming to our table to reconfirm what we ordered, the fact that the food was coming, the ticket machine wasn't working and we got hit with "you haven't gotten your food yet?" They then proceeded to tell us they were going to give us a discount. A discount on what? The drinks that should have been comp'd due to the lack of food or a discount on non-existent food. We waited for 2hrs almost for food that never came before going next door to Ascione Bistro for dinner that was served to us within 15mins of sitting down. I explained what we had endured at Mahari and they sat us immediately and served us one of the best short rib meals ever. No manager even came over to our table and addressed the long food wait or provided any kind of compensation. The manager should also be held accountable for the disaster of a night that they were having. The drink I had was good, the food that was being prepared smelled good, but that's all I can say. This restaurant needs to be restructured from management to the kitchen. It shouldn't be open for business if it's functioning like this. Do not come here if you're hungry! read more

We had the best time here! The food was amazing! The atmosphere, ambiance was amazing! The birthday celebration which included everyone was so thoughtful and unique to this space! I loved the touch of culture and family vibe... it's why I chose to celebrate my sis's birthday here! I'm confident we will have a GOOD time! The service, was amazing! We got free, tasty shots with the birthday girl! We tried appetizers- Naan and Wings Cocktails - Afrodisiac & Birds of Paradise Mains- Prawn & Polenta and Graze N Bayou Annnnddddd Dessert- Pudding & Cheesecake We Loved everything! The chicken had a little kick, so much flavor and juicy! Naan was warm and that butter, omg! The mains were hearty and full of flavor! And the Dessert, I think my favorite was the bread pudding! Chefs Kiss! I can't believe i forgot to take pictures! I was too excited and present! Next time... just go! You will not be disappointed! Good for date night, ladies night or the family! read more

I will be back! Mahari in Hyde Park is feast for all senses. It was all I expected and more. Cuisine: African & Caribbean fusion When my party and I walked in, we were greeted by a beautiful host staff who genuine smiled upon entry -- rare. I felt the warmth immediately. I said to myself we are off to a great start. The smiles were followed by the striking decor which doubled down on the feeling of warmth. I gotta say, I kind of felt transported which made me ready and excited yet relaxed, if that makes sense. Simply put...the space is super inviting, interesting, and beyond beautiful. I need the decorator's number lbs. I promise to get pics next time! I began my night at the bar situated in the back of the restaurant. I ordered a Platano y Pina which was made with toasted coconut, smoked pineapple juice and white rum. This drink is for you if love something a lil smokey and want to avoid the typical sweet pina colada. Being typically a non drinker, I needed the sweet and something else. Bartender Crissy took great care of me recommending something a bit more refreshing -- Good Greetings (made with tequila, cucumber and ginger). This was the winner! I'll be back for this drink lol. Yall like alright quit yapping, tell us about the food. Well! The food is the star of she show especially if you love interesting flavors with depth. While waiting the couple next to my friend and I had their main meal arrive. The scent. Whew! I was tempted to change my order. The couple who were obviously on a date didn't even look up from their gorgeously plated entrees after they began eating. I could tell they were taking it all in and so were we, envious, anxious, and vicarious. When our bites came, we were ready! Salmon Cala Dish: perfectly light. Salmon fritters lightly breaded w/ panko crust and mango chutney were super tasty. The accompanying greens brought out the flavors of the dish. Pineapple Wings: The wings! If wings are on any menu, I'm getting wings and these did not disappoint. Smokey, roasted, flavorful, beautify charred, pineapple, SAVORY...I could keep going LOL. So good. I will order these every damn time. Waiter: shoutout to Grant who knew the menu well and actually answered my questions genuinely so I could make an informed decision. This man KNOWS the menu. He's also a sweetheart. Mahari has great ppl on the team. It's giving: family. Bathrooms: gorgeous and clean. Waitstaff/Service: nice, helpful, timely. Overall Feelings about Mahari in a few words: Familial. Inviting. Tasty. Verdict: Like I said, I'll be back. 9/10. Cheers read more

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This review is for dinner: I'll start with the good. The space is cute and cozy. A lot smaller than we thought, based on photos, though. Bathroom is also cute. Our waitress Kiara was really sweet and accomodating for our party of 7. It would have been nice if we could have eaten together at the same time. All meals came out at different times. The table was half finished with their food by the time my friend and I's dishes came out. I think the flavor of most of our dishes was ok. But for a restaurant that boasts about the African diaspora, I was expecting more. The crispy okra could have used ANY seasoning. It was bland. The Cazuela dish that I had should be AT LEAST $15 CHEAPER. It had 1 overcooked scallop, 2 shrimp, 4 tiny mussels. It was NOT in a tumeric stew as the menu states. It was tasty but it was a thin broth. For $38 dollars?? Absurd. I tried the Maharita drink. It was ok. Not spicy enough. I tried the silk route next which is supposed to be a bourbon based drink with chai spices and chocolate bitters. They sent an old fashioned which I wouldn't mind had I ordered an old fashioned but I didn't. Most of us had to send 2nd round of drinks back because they were terrible. They blamed it on a change of bartender. But aren't they using a drink recipe? Why am I paying $20 for a poorly executed cocktail? Get better bartenders. It didn't make sense. They resent the old fashioned with vanilla syrup and that was supposed to be the silk route cocktail. Overall, I think this establishment is a bit in over it's head and needs to make a lot of tweaks to make a visit here worth the exorbitant prices and the hype. I won't be running back anytime soon. read more