Sai Cafe is really a cute little restaurant. I have lived in the neighborhood for almost 2 years and had never stopped by. We were with my mom and her man friend. We were rushed (I had big plans to sit in the dark for Earth Hour), so we didn't spend a lot of time making big selections. My mom's man friend ordered for the table. We had edamame, and a ginger salad, some maki and some sashimi. The fish was so fresh and delicious. I can't remember specifics (which is rare for me), but I remember enjoying everything. I can't wait to go back, spend a little more time, and enjoy another great meal! read more

What a great little spot tucked away on the side! Went in and were immediately greeted and seated at the table we were eying. Even though the menu was not what I would call elaborate, what they did have was all very tasty looking on the menu and also imaginative rolls (for the price). I had the rainbow and fashion rolls which were both melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Avacado was so fresh and ripe that the it literally was hard to tell from the texture of the tuna. Started off with the Unagi tempura, which was something I had never seen before. Very tasty! I liked the ambiance and walking in you can definitely tell that the fish is fresh from the smell (fresh sushi smell, not sitting in a fridge for 2 days smell) and the interior both funky and inviting. If you have a small group, I would recommend trying to get the front booths - they looked super fun! read more

I am still thinking happy thoughts about Sai Café and my delicious dinner last night. Been here a few times and never been disappointed yet. Even though we were a group of 4 we had a truckload of food - volcano, dragon, super creamy and spicy tuna rolls and pieces of salmon, white fish tempura, king crab, tuna, clam and scallops and to start edamame & go ma. The volcano roll was to die for and I love the white fish tempura with its neon orange sauce on top. The menu is on the smaller side compared to other sushi joints but it's really quality over quantity. The sushi pieces are always fresh and the rolls are always made perfectly. Service is impeccable; everyone is extremely attentive and polite. The drawbacks - not BYO so the bar tab creeps up quickly and I have yet to get out of here without spending $50 a person. read more

Since I moved to Chicago this summer, I have been a regular at Sai Cafe. It has fresh fish, creative rolls and a great ambience. I love the spicy white tuna crunch, tekka maki, sake avocado maki, halloween maki and the epi tempura maki. It is a nice neighborhood sushi place with great service and delicious fish. I highly recommend it read more

The menu was inventive, but the execution was fair. As in not satisfactory for the price. Great service, but I won't return. I'm sure there are a number of other sushi places with either 1) a more happening ambiance, or 2) the same quality food for half the price. read more

Cute place, great for dates, great service. Definitely do a good job and I would give 3.5 stars if I could. Live right in the neighborhood so I know I'll be back. The sushi just wasn't the best I have ever had so I cannot give it a higher rating. 1st the edamame was served cold which I hate. Next time I'll def ask for it steamed. The rolls were good & fresh but I can name a few other places that are better. Def good, but just not the best sushi experience I have ever had. Rather basic and ordinary. But I think next time I will order some customer fav's like the poke and the spicy white tuna crunch roll. I think my group was a bit basic with the rolls hence not getting the wow factor. Def will return for another chance. read more

My husband and I really love this place. We stumbled upon it when we had an intense craving for sushi one night and this was the only place open until late. It's located in a cute neighborhood and we call it our hidden gem because the food here is GREAT and it's become our definite date night spots. Prices are okay but it's worth it for the delicious food and romantic ambiance that you experience here. The wait staff is friendly and we've never had problems with them. I'd rate it 5 stars just because of its location, great food and the fact that when you go here you really can just experience great food with someone you enjoy being with. I never feel like it's too loud, it's just a romantic experience for me and my husband and we love spending time here. And best of all, it's open late! read more

Okay, I finally cracked the code to great sushi at Sai. 1. Go on a cold night (most orders are take-out) 2. Go during a weeknight (obviously, both #1 and #2 allow you to have a more intimate, less busy experience) 3. SIT AT THE SUSHI BAR. Holy crap the Chef is an artist - both with food and with humor. He had us laughing as soon as we sat down. Great guy. I think because my date and I were having such a great time, the Chef enjoyed our company and definitely put the extra effort into my sashimi requests. That night last week completely changed my mind about Sai and I am so happy that I gave it another try. What a treat. You can ensure that I will be back for more fun and delicious sashimi, but I will be sure to dine in from now on. :) Until we eat again, Jill read more

Still as good as ever...hamachi jalapeño and salmon sashimi are melt in your mouth delicious Sitting in the front by the windows is the best seating in the place read more

Years ago a friend told me that the world was divided into people who loved Sai Café and those who preferred Kamehachi. Sai focused on serving large pieces of fresh fish with minimal adornment. Big. Fresh. Fish. Kamehachi added extras like pine nuts and flavored oils. I love Sai and will return again and again. read more

Sai Cafe is one of my favorite sushi spots in Chicago. It's certainly not the best deal, but by far the best sushi and service for the price. Individual pieces are a bit more expensive than most places, but the cut of each piece is enormous in comparison. The sushi is always cold (where appropriate) and always so fresh. I have never had a bad experience and have been dozens of times. There is nobody on the planet that does the Spicy Tuna Crunch roll like these guys. Amazing. HINT: There is a non-menu item that they don't have all of the time, but ask for it if you go: Green Tea Creme Brulee. I kid you not, it's amazing. Sounds a little odd, but it's fantastic. Say hi to Jimmy who runs the place. He is there always and eager to please any of your sushi needs or just make a new customer/ friend. read more

If your in the mood for a trendy date night, this is not the place. If your in the mood for a family/casual night, this is right for you. Sushi is nothing to brag about, just OK. read more

This was hands down some of the best sushi I have ever had (and I travel across the country for business). The Ahi Poke app was incredible, the escolar, salmon and yellowtail sashimi were fresh and quite tasty. Definitely check this place out if you ever get a chance! read more

Very good sushi. 6 rolls for $75 (only one special roll). Worth the price. The rolls were nicely sized and did not fall apart. Ordered take out and have not sat in the restaurant for dinner. Overall, worth checking out if you're looking for good sushi. read more

We loved this place! Great fresh sushi. There was a very noisy table next to us and the staff noticed and moved us! Great service all around. read more

This is the best sushi in the city, and absolutely the best and friendliest service. They take such good care of all their customers. It is such a pleasure to continually return to this wonderful neighborhood spot. We pick up take out from here all the time as well, especially during covid. All their non sushi, cooked items, are delicious too. Definitely try their amazing lemon scallops- to die for!!! Can't say enough good things about Sai!!! read more

This place was a wonderful sushi place. It was quiet and super clean. The staff was extremely nice and helped us figure out what to order. The spicy tuna was some of the best sushi I've ever had. We also got their signature dish and it was good too. My brother got some wine from Spain that he has a hard time finding and I got a martini. It was decently priced and I will be back. read more

Sai Cafe - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Sai Café is absolutely my favorite restaurant in Chicago. The sushi is fantastic! It is very fresh, the portions are large (great value for money) and the service is excellent. I always sit at the sushi bar and enjoy being entertained by the extremely friendly sushi chefs. It is a great way to learn about sushi and enjoy a great neighborhood spot! read more

I hadn't been to Sai in years, but I recently took a date to Sai Cafe for dinner, and it was as good as I remember. From the the prompt greeting as you enter the door, to the excellent attention we received during dinner, the service was excellent. Since this was a spur of the moment dinner (no reservations), we were pleasantly surprised to find that there were a couple open tables, and we could be seated right away on a Saturday night at 8pm. The food was delicious- there are few sushi places in Chicago that can compare to Sai when it comes to overall consistent quality and presentation. The fish is so fresh and tender it melts in your mouth. Two of my pet peeves at sushi places are when the rolls are so big you feel embarrassed to eat them in front of your date, or that they fall apart when you grab them with chop sticks. At Sai the rolls are made the perfect size, and they never come apart. And they don't drown the sushi in sauces or wasabi, they come out with just the right amount of every ingredient so that you can taste each flavor. The presentation is not flashy, it's simple and understated. I love when you go to a nicer sushi restaurant and you get a real steamed towel, not the disposable in a wrapper. Yeah, the decor is looking a little dated, but it's a neighborhood institution now, so you have to look at it that way. It's not meant to be a flashy upscale place like Sushi Samba Rio or Japanais. The bar up front is small but stylish, the first dining room by the sushi bar is very nice (guys- if you make reservations, ask to sit in this dining room), but the second dining room where we sat is a little older. Still, it was just fine for a dinner date, with candles on every table and in the windows, and the volume level was perfect for conversation. The price is pretty damn good for a nicer sushi restaurant. We had edamame, 4 generous rolls, 4 huge pieces, 3 small bottles of hot house sake, and the total was $70+ tip. Not bad for a date night in the city. You could easily spend more, that's just what we spent given the rolls and pieces we picked. And we left stuffed. Sai is reliable place to go for a nice dinner. read more

Gosh, I just wish every restaurant could be like Sai Cafe. I used to live nearby, and I would go pretty frequently. I still find myself on the Brown Line wondering if I have time to get off at Armitage for a quick bite at Sai. The service is impeccable. Hosts, wait staff, bussers, and star sushi chefs are incredibly friendly and consistently great. When I sit at the sushi bar, Dave, one of the sushi chefs, seems to know everyone else sitting at the bar with me! The sushi is great and always incredibly fresh. The maki selection is plentiful and isn't too cream-cheese-centric (a serious problem I have with lots of sushi places). Don't pass up the other food, though! The miso grilled cod is killer, and you certainly can't go wrong with some tempura udon. I can't recommend this place highly enough. Such solid quality across the board is a rare treat. read more

One of the things I'm going to miss most being away will be this amazing sushi restaurant. Super convenient as the other yelper said; not too far from the brown line on Armitage. Top quality fish, great service, friendly staff. Would recommend this place to anyone who loves sushi! Watch out for parking meters (pay box). Being five minutes late earned me a nice fat ticket of $50. Just looking out! Disfrutan! read more

A couple of weeks ago I took my little brother out for his first experience of Japanese cusine. As usual, Sai Cafe was a shining example. We were warmly greeted on a cold cold night, and the food, as it always is, was exceptional. Any and every time I find myself with a reason to dine there I do. The service is fantastic, and the food shines. I've been a loyal fan of this restaurant for years. Every time I'm handed the menu there I just want to say "yes". ....oh, and then there's also the lychee martini. In my less-than-humble opinion, it's a must-try. read more

This place was great =] I took my boyfriend here for his birthday since he loves sushi and he loved it. I had the spicy white tuna crunch which was fresh and creamy and the chicken yaki soba which looks like chinese lo mein but has much richer flavors and isn't nearly as greasy. My boyfriend had the volcano maki which was also delicious and spicy and the spicy tuna maki was surprisingly good even though it looked alarmingly raw and red. The portions are large--we ordered way too much food because we thought just one sushi plate wouldn't be enough, but regardless we finished nearly everything. The service was great also, very pleasant and attentive waitresses. Just didn't like the walk through some kind of prep area to get to the other dining area. The prices were great as well. I will definitely come back. read more

Sai Cafe is hands down my favorite Sushi place! Eating there is an experience--not just a dinner. The sushi is artfully prepared and it tastes as good as it looks. My favorite part of the experience though are the sushi chefs! When my boyfriend and I go we eat at the sushi bar so we can talk to the chefs. They are friendly, informative and love to tell you about the sushi you are eating. Every time I go, I learn something new about sushi, and try a new piece. If you want a new experience, a different kind of date, or are new to sushi, I definitely recommend asking for a seat at the bar. Sai Cafe might just be my favorite place in Chicago! read more

Great Sushi, a little crowded, noisy and pricey. Service good, nice bar, fresh seafood. Would get 4 stars if prices were better...... read more

BEST SUSHI IN THE CITY - and very reasonably priced. *DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY AT OTHER "HIP" SUSHI PLACES. Everything was amazing: food was delectable, service was impeccable, and price was more than reasonable. Great atmosphere, quick service, attentive waitress and manager. The vegetarian in our party loved her vegetarian sushi. Our peanut allergy friend could actually eat all of the food as they use no peanut or nut oil. The others in the party all enjoyed their food as well. #6 on OpenTable for best restaurants in Illinois: definitely lived up to the ranking. read more

Lovely restaurant. Sat in quiet and serene back room. Service very good. Ordered sushi and yaki soba with shrimp which we both enjoyed. Food delivered quickly. All staff greeted us when we departed. read more

Love this place! When my then boyfriend, now the love of my life were dating, we came here often. It's been a about 6 yrs since we went back so we will be going there soon. I'll be back for a fresh review! read more

Great Neighborhood, great sushi. Service was just okay, but that was expected..when is service in a sushi joint ever good? Been back multiple times to enjoy the patio...this place is right around the corner from many fun bars in DePaul area. Good Times! read more

YUM, this place was great! One of the best and freshest places to get sushi in Chicago at an affordable price. Our party of 5 went to Sai Cafe late on a Friday night for birthday dinner (around 10:30pm). This place is open till midnight. Our waitress was fantastic! Made excellent and honest recommendations and she was incredibly accommodating to one of the guests who could not handle any level of spice. We were ordering the oyster shooters and our friend informed the waitress to make it as mild as possible and it was no problem. Then when she found out it was my friend's birthday she put a candle in our oyster shooter and sang happy birthday with us. Very nice gesture The rolls were delicious! They are not HUGE, but just the right size to eat in one bite. They have a very balanced ratio of fish to rice. I got the spicy white tuna crunch roll and it was fantastic! We also got some uni and although it was delivered that morning, it was not as fresh as we were expecting it to be. That was the only disappointing thing (but it was more of the fish's fault rather than anyone elses). The sushi chefs and waitresses were surprised as we were the first ones to complain about it all day (and some of the girls had been there before and had the uni and it was fantastic so we probably just had a bad portion). We must of gotten a bad piece :( Overall it's really a great place to come eat! read more

While our for a walk in Lincoln park, we stopped in here for an early dinner and was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the menu and quality of the food, will definitely be back!!! read more

This place's takeout is a total joke. Do NOT order. Despite quoting 30 minutes, takeout took nearly 90 minutes. They had a dozen customers standing in a confined space - some without masks - for extended periods. No communication and they were handing out incomplete orders. I was given the wrong order. I only discovered it when I got home. I received a call from Sai Cafe and I was asked to drive the order back to the restaurant and exchange it for my order. When I said i didn't feel comfortable, they literally hung up on me. Very questionable safety and sanitary practices. Poor customer service. read more

This is my most reliable sushi place. It is good quality at a great price. At Sai Cafe it is all about the Escolar. It is a super white tuna that melts in your mouth. They have the best Escolar that I have tasted. The rolls are great and they have new special rolls all the time. The wine list is good and reasonably priced as well and they have an extensive list of sakes. The staff is always very friendly in here...they greet you when you enter and as you leave. The restaurant is large too so it allows for a lot of customers at once. I have never eaten something that I didn't like here. Last night I had their Escolar roll (I know, I really am obsessed!) that had jalapenos and cilantro in it, which was really good. Highly recommended. In the summer they have a nice patio set up as well. read more

My favorite sushi place, has been for years. Every time I come I wonder why I try any other place! Love the tuna Masako and octopus salad, the agedashi tofu is amazing. Shiso ume is the best I've had, and the catapillar roll is delicious! read more

I'm not a sushi expert by any means but I thought Sai Cafe's was good. The atmosphere is somewhat blah. The sake was excellent! and the service was great. I've only sat up at the sushi bar, both times I've been. It was a good dining experience. read more

I really liked Sai Cafe!!!!! I'd been wanting to check it out, and we went last night b/c the wait at tango sur was out of control. The inside of Sai is just very adorable. I didn't expect much of the inside, as the outside looks kind of dumpy. But it's sooo cute! We sat near the front window, in the bar area, but the dining room area looked very inviting, w/ yellow walls and a section of the wall w/ brick on it....looking like there should be a fireplace below. Very cute! Ok, so the edamame was cold. We'd never had cold edamame, but we didn't say anything, as it seemed steamed, just refrigerated! The rolls were very good. The ebi tempura roll (came w/ 4) was so huge!! We also got the rainbow, volcano, and the dragon. All very good!! The dragon was very good--as I love unagi and I really love eel sauce! I was sooo full and could not eat another bite, otherwise I would have gotten some mochi. The sashimi pieces were said to be very good too. Our waitress was very sweet. The bus boys were on it w/ the water refills.....VERY attentive. It's a very quaint spot and I will definitely be back! Oh, and the jazz in the background made this experience absolutely wonderful. read more

I really like Sai- the location is great. Its in the heart of Lincoln Park at Sheffield and Armitage, and the brown line makes it easily accessible. Inside, its small and quaint. The sushi is probably some of the best in Chicago. I also like the single roses often on the tables. Plus, it has mood lighting! The staff is very nice. I've never had to wait very long for a table. read more

I used to love the rolls from Sai Cafe, but last time I ate here I felt like the sushi didn't have much taste. I love the spicy tuna crunch, but even that left me feeling a little disappointed. Always a good stand-by, but hopefully next time my sushi will be better and live up to the expectations I've gotten used to from Sai. read more

This is one of my favorite sushi restaurants so far. The prices are amazing and the sushi is delicious... espcially the white tuna crunch roll! read more

Easily one of my top sushi places. The sushi is always fresh and moderately priced. The atmosphere is warm, low-key, and inviting with various different rooms throughout the restaurant. They have a bar as soon as you walk in which is a great spot to have a drink while waiting for any of your party to show up. It's a welcome change from many other sushi joints featuring typical modern decor with loud dance music. My favorites include the spicy white tuna crunch (awesome!), unagi-don, white fish tempura, and escolar nigiri. read more