This restaurant is a neighborhood gem. Incredible sushi, if you like nigiri the portions are very generous. If you don't eat sushi, their other food is great too. The restaurant also has a cozy and romantic atmosphere, nothing is better than sitting in one of their booths by the window. Lastly, they have a varied and reasonably priced drink list, which is hard to find at a sushi restaurant in the city. read more

Damn this place is good. The amount of times I've been here is kind of sad but it is really worth it. I'm always looking for a good sushi place and this is it. I've had almost every maki roll but my favorite is the shrimp tempura roll. Even the udon soup is bomb. If you can, try to get one of the cool window booth tables cuz the windows make you feel like you're outside. Word to the wise- they aren't open for lunch, but hopefully they will be one day!! read more

Was kind of disappointed. A lot of things that we wanted, they didn't have available. Then we ordered pot of tea, after a few minutes the waitress pretended we finished the pot tea and served us another but we weren't even finished either the first one and then charged us for two full pots. We even felt rushed out. We wanted dessert and before we could even order, the waitress gave us our check. read more

Love this place, good neighborhood sushi spot. The food, decor inside, and service are splendid!

Always good sushi. I don't think I have ever had anything that I don't like there. The restaurant itself lacks a little in the ambience, but the sushi definitely makes up for it! We have tried many a sushi places, but we keep coming back here for more. Most nights you can get in without any problems, but it can get a little packed on Friday and Saturday nights. I do believe they take reservations. read more

This is the best sushi my wife and I have had in Chicago. I'm a little shocked that the reviews aren't better which is why I decided to review it. We always get the Volcano, Rainbow, and Dragon Maki. They are all three amazing (dragon maki is the best eel roll ever). We also mix in other rolls like spicy white tuna, etc (we have never had a less than wonderful roll). The fish here is so fresh which is why I recommend the combination sashimi platter; it is out of this world delicious. We had it last time we visited and I have had dreams about it ever since. The wait staff and hostess are always very friendly and attentive. The martini that i've had is delicious and worth the price. So, all of this to say that this place is a staple of ours and I highly recommend it! Oh yeah, and buy the sushi chefs a large Sapparo! read more

Pretty good sushi. It's hard to differentiate yourself among all the other sushi joints in Chicago. This is no different. You'll get a good meal here. If you're in the area, hit it up but don't go out of your way. read more

This is my favorite Sushi place in town! The owner really knows how to make you feel welcome and so does his wife. Freshest sushi always and it reminds me of great sushi restaurants on the West Coast. Highly recommended!!! read more

honestly, i wish this were closer to where i live. i usually like ordering the ahi poke--tangy tuna and nice crispy chips nabe yaki udon is very nice--good use of napa cabbage and true seafood ingredients. super fresh. really great rolls though--pointer: white dragon roll is awesome, but can be very filling! counterbalance it with something lighter like a salmon and jalapeno roll read more

i came here a few times because it is conveniently located a block from where I live this summer. Food: The first time I had very delicious miso soup.. the udon was sweet though :( it might be authentic? just not the taste i'm used to... Later on I tried the nabeyaki udon and the broth was much better. From then on I stayed close to sushi. The chefs are very friendly and had me try different things :) I tried some delicious sashimi for the first time here while listening to a proud dad talk about his daughter :) I like places with people like that. although it makes me miss home... ok back to food... halloween maki was delicious! Oyster shooter was pretty tasty too. The rest is sashimi... i usually get squid, salmon, and this surfer scallop thing? they are great. It is a bit on the expensive side, I was a bit surprised that they charged me for tea... but it was only a dollar. I hope to visit again and stay at the sushi bar. read more

I love Sai Cafe. I'm originally from Chicago and this was may favorite place. Whenever I visit, I pay a trip to Sai Cafe. BIG pieces of sushi, so fresh, and good service. I wish the ambience was a bit more like Tsunami (remember Tsunami?before it closed) but with decently priced sushi that is so fresh and LARGE pieces, I'm sold. Hands down favorite. read more

I had a bunch of friends recently tell me that this place was the BEST sushi in town, and I can safely say that is not the case for me. I've lived in NYC and SF and this sushi just doesn't stack up. First off, the wasabi was the wrong color, which was a real turn off, but even moreso was the lack of freshness in the food. The seaweed salad was good but how can you do that wrong? Service was good and setting is nice, but cmon people - you need to get more fresh food. read more

So I finally had the opportunity to visit Sai Cafe! I have lived within walking distance of the joint for about 2 years and have been meaning to go, but never found the time. After many recommendations, I decided to go on a Thursday evening with some friends. We were seated immediately in the corner booth, which was very comfortable for three people. The inside is quaint and comfortable, through there was a small draft by the window. I had the crazy maki and the spicy tuna maki. The crazy maki was so large it was impossible to eat without making a mess and causing a scene. Maybe the name of the roll should be changed to the "messy maki". However, the roll was very good and had a lot of fish for the money. The tuna roll was solid, nothing special. My other friends had the volcano roll which they enjoyed and a vegetable noodle dish. The sushi rolls arrived way before the hot dish which made the meal awkward as one person was waiting for their meal while we were practically finished. All in all I enjoyed the meal and would be willing to give it another shot. Maybe next time I will try carrying out. read more

Pretty good sushi in a residential neighborhood of Chicago. I did think the fish was not absolutely top quality such as a place like Yasuda or Kuruma. read more

The best Nabeyaki Udon I've ever had in my entire life. The noodles were outstanding and the broth was not too salty. Excellent service as well. Would definitely go back if I'm ever in Chicago again. read more

Sai Cafe - Nabeyaki Udon - Sushi Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is my favorite restaurant ever. I've been going here for 13 years now. The service is amazing and the music is great. The atmosphere is good for dates. I love eating the eel roll it's amazing!!! I suggest going to the restaurant and trying it! The spicy tuna is just like pure heaven and I can not wait to get it again!!! I gotta go back! I'm sad to see it not packet cause it should be. Also it's super convenient for people in the area! Thank you Sai Cafe! read more

Not as good as Marai, Japonais, or some of the other fancy sushi restaurants in Chicago. However, the sushi at sai cafe is very fresh and much cheaper than the places I just named. Perfect for a casual night out when you are craving sushi. read more

Went to sai cafe with some friends last night and really enjoyed the sushi. We order 6 different rolls to share and everything was fabulous (my favorites included the halloween and white tuna crush). The sushi was very fresh. The service was good...our party of 5 was in and out within an hour. It was crowded, but not overly packed ( you could actually have a conversation without yelling). read more

I love that whenever we come here we walk right in, and never have to wait more than 5 minutes for a table- even on a Saturday night. While the menu may not be huge, everything I've ever tried is nothing short of delicious! I always get sashimi (ah-mazing salmon), and the spicy octopus roll. There is nothing like it. Mmm... I'm getting hungry just thinking about this place! read more

I liked the service and the ambiance of the space, however I wasnt SO impressed with the sushi. Their spicy tuna tasted like tomato paste and the spicy white tuna crunch Ive had better, but the Ikura nigiri was fab!! I would have had more of those orders if ther weret $3 a pop. All in all, it gets 3 stars from me. read more

Went there recently....I think the last time I went there was about 5 years ago. Seems like they did an ok job of remodeling, but the food seems to have downgraded, if my memory serves me correctly. It's the typical menu here...rolls, sushi, sashimi, teriyaki, etc. So that's nothing to write home about. What I should mention though is the prices - if you know sushi at all, you'll bark at the audacity these people have to charge the outrageous amount of money for really subpar sushi. I'm amazed this place lasted as long as it did...and even more amazingly, I think the same people also own Hachi's Kitchen in the Logan Square neighborhood...and Hachi's is a 4-star in my book. I just don't know what happened to this place. read more

Fantasitc Sushi. Sake was okay. Nice, quiet ambience in the back. There's a bar in the front that's a little more lively. A nice date place!

I've been coming here since I was a kid. In fact, it was the first sushi that I've ever tried! The staff is very friendly and helpful and the they have the best sushi chefs that will amaze you. I've travelled to many many cities and countries, also, lived in LA for 10 years where some of best sushi is in the country. Sai Cafe has the best sushi in Chicago with great overall pricing for authentic and tasty sushi! The oyster shooters and the creamy octopus rolls are my absolute faves. read more

The ambiance is nice and it appears to be at first and upscale sushi restaurant, buuuuut the menus were tattered and the sushi was a bit over priced for the quality. An older and serious crowd local neighborhood crowd. Good wine list. read more

Ok sushi. Decent wine list. Never had a bad experience. This isn't a coastal city. Great neighborhood option.

We have been doing carry out from Sai at least three times a month for the past 5+ years. I wouldn't say it's the best sushi I ever had, but it is consistently fantastic sushi and I am grateful we get to eat their food so frequently. Our standard order: Ahi Poke - huge chunks of super fresh tuna over cucumber with chili oil Salmon Avocado (add cucumber) maki Spicy Creamy Tako Maki Soft Shell Crab Special Maki (I don't know if this is on their menu) - maki with soft shell crab and topped with a crab and avocado mixture. Halloween Maki I eat at the restaurant a few times a year as well, it's just so good. Jim, you're the king! read more

Sai Cafe is great. I come here a lot with my family after work and it always hits the spot without seeming to overkill. My favorites are their volcano roll, edamame, miso and various sashimi offerings. I love how they give you the hot towel when you are seated and everyone greets you in Japanese(?) when you first walk into the sushi bar. I really enjoy their food and it is a delight and treat to come here. read more

Best sushi in town, and Im picky.

Huge HUGE fans of the Spicy White Tuna Crunch, Fresh Salmon Sashimi and Hamachi. This is our go-to sushi restaurant in the neighborhood. Seafood is reliably fresh and the owner is super friendly. We order the same 3 favorites almost weekly (note: my husband is allergic to shellfish so we stick to the basics). read more

We had a great dinner here. The food was delicious and the service was very nice. We loved the sushi plates we ordered, and we did order way too much food for two people... It was all delicious, especially paired with a bottle of hot sake :-) read more

Ordered their chicken teriyaki for carryout. No price on the menu and it was $17! More than I expected, and not a huge meal, but definitely decent. read more

Great Sushi. They have a variety of fresh fish. Hamachi, Saba, and Aji are common in Japan, but rare in the US. But they have it. Came with Japanese people from Tokyo. They were very satisfied. read more

I had not been there in a very long time simply because of its location, great place great sushi great service. We were 7 of us and sat in the very front room, it was perfect read more

Came here for dinner awhile back. The entrance to the restaurant took me awhile to find since the sign for the restaurant is on the corner of the building but the actual door is on the side. The decor and environment of the restaurant was what you'd expect from a Japanese fusion restaurant though the lighting was a little too dim in my opinion. Now onto the food, we ordered the Tako Sansai as an appetizer which had a very delicious marinade. The yakisoba was good but it wasn't anything special. It seemed more like chow mein than actual yakisoba. The sukiyaki came in a regular bowl but I was hoping for a stone bowl so that the soup would still be kept warm. The actual flavors and ingredients were good though. The dragon maki was actually much better than any dragon maki I've had in awhile so I would recommend getting some sushi here. The service was what I would want from a restaurant where they're there when you need them but aren't constantly around. If I have the chance to come again, I'd probably try more of the appetizers and sushi. read more

There are many reasons to go Sai Cafe - wonderfully fresh fish, excellent sushi chefs, romantic ambience - but it is without a doubt one of the classiest Sushi restaurants in Chicago. I've been coming for 10 years and it is always on point. The dishes are made with soul. Other Sushi places will come and go with their attempts to murder the cuisine with spicey mayo frankenstein maki rolls. But Sai is classic. Last night's highlight - Uni Tempura, not on menu but just so satisfying. read more

Great tuna, quaint location in Lincoln Park. Not a standout anymore, but consistently good.

Ok, so sushi joints are a dime a dozen nowadays, and this is one that's good to go to if you want a chill sushi atmosphere and you live closeby. The fish is fresh, and the rolls are pretty standard. There isn't anything super fancy or unexepected with the rolls, but they do the job if you're looking for a sushi fix. I love the space though. It feels like I'm visiting someone's home, and I love the fireplaces in the winter and fall. At any rate, I'll continue to go, simply because it's close and I'm always in the area, and I know the sushi is pretty decent. read more

Neighborhood staple, and I see why. It is very very good. The spicey volcano roll is my favorite. The spicy crumbs with the rice are what I would imagine like fulfilling a crack addiction is like. read more

My wife and I live in the neighborhood and were craving sushi on a Friday night. After looking through various yelp reviews, Sai Cafe had great reviews and sounded delicious. Are usually favorite, Toro, had over an hour wait and Sai Cafe could seat us anytime we wanted (on a Friday night calling at 7:30 pm?! That should have been our 1st red flag). This place was average at best. The atmosphere is nice, but our edamame was slimy and cold, and out of the 5 rolls we got, only one (the Halloween maki) was good. The fish was mushy and when they say 'mayo' in the roll, it is not just a dot on top like in most sushi restaurants, it is literally mixed in with the fish, which we found to be kinda gross. We will not be going back, but not the worst sushi I have ever had...simply mediocre. read more

My daughter likes sushi and so do I- probably not an expert- but have had good, medium and not so good. Based on reviews, we went to Sai Cafe! It was a very pleasant cozy environment, very well appointed, the servers and chef's were sooo nice and helpful! We ordered wine and saki. Then the Spicy Tuna Crunch, the Volcano, and the Fashion Roll- all were fabulous! We got an extra Tuna crunch- we had an amazing evening! The best sushi experience I've ever had! read more