Hiro Bar Izakaya
Michael M · 89 Google reviewsHiro Bar Izakaya — dependable japanese in West Town. It gets busy, and that's part of the appeal. Strong bar program alongside the food. Mathias: "All of the chicken yakitori was perfectly cooked — juicy, tender, and seasoned just right"
What 135 diners keep saying
What 135 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“The vibes? Top Notch The food? Topper Notch The service? Toppest Notch They also have this sushi hot dog thing that is either the pinnacle of fusion food culture that truly represents the greatest aspects of the American melting pot or an absolute abomination. I’m not sure which and frankly I don’t care.”
“Absolutely phenomenal experience at Hiro Bar Izakaya! The food was incredible from start to finish, with every dish showcasing fresh ingredients and amazing flavors. What truly set this visit apart was the exceptional hospitality. The manager went above and beyond to make our night special, taking the time to introduce us to different types of sake and generously letting us try additional menu items. Their passion for the food and genuine care for their guests created an experience that felt personal, welcoming, and unforgettable. It’s rare to find a place that combines outstanding cuisine with such incredible service. We left not only impressed by the food but also grateful for an experience we’ll be talking about for a long time. Highly recommend Hiro Bar Izakaya to anyone looking for authentic flavors, great atmosphere, and service that exceeds all expectations. We can’t wait to return!”
“We had the edamame, some hand rolls, tuna crispy rice, sweet potatoes, and shortrib noodles. As if that wasn’t enough, we finished with bananas foster and toki tres leches. Insane!! Lots of smoky, spicy, and creamy flavors. Huge shout out to the bar team and Chef Luis for taking care of us.”
“What a sexy restaurant. We sat at the bar. Griffin was stellar. He is a great host and added so much to the experience. Great recommendations. We wanted to order everything and he steered us in a great direction. We left so satisfied. First up: wine. Reasonably priced and delicious. I had both the cab and Pinot noir. I liked both. My friend had the lychee martini which was DELISH and well balanced. Started with shishito peppers that had a miso glaze to them. Unlike any shishitos I’ve had anywhere else. Crispy rice with wagyu beef - delish. A tuna hand roll (or maybe it was salmon?) fantastic. I wouldn’t have ordered it without his suggestion. Glad we did! Pork belly fried rice. Short rib noodles were the BEST DISH I HAD IN CHICAGO. so so so good. The other standout was the trumpet mushroom. We also had a crispy fried chicken that came with greens and lemon — perfect pairing to offset the fried crisp. Not too oily. Perfectly cooked. Fantastic. For dessert we had their take on bananas foster. The coconut ice cream was so light and flavorful at the same time. Bananas were bananas but perfectly bruleed. The caramel was unreal. It was sweet salty and umami and truly memorable. I haven’t ever had a thing like it. Big thanks to the staff who made the dining experience a true pleasure. Can’t wait to be back. 10/10”
“Amazing well balanced drinks, great service, and well designed ambiance. Definitely a place to check out. Alex and team are just wonderful. Be sure to try the desserts - the bananas foster is insaneeee”
“The food is delicious and atmosphere is unmatched. Also a sneaky contender for one of the best burgers in the city.”
“As a total sushi girl with very high expectations, I’ve been on a serious mission to find the best sushi in Chicago—and let’s just say, it hasn’t been easy. But Hiro Izakaya? They absolutely delivered. From the moment we walked in, Alex, Eric, and Griffin made the entire experience feel effortless and elevated—Alex especially went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. The hospitality alone is enough to bring me back. Now let’s talk about the food… fresh, beautifully presented, and exactly what you hope for when you’re craving top-tier sushi. Every bite reminded me why I’m so picky in the first place—it was that good. The ambiance was the perfect balance of lively yet intimate, making it such a vibe whether you’re going out with friends or for a date night. Safe to say… I’ve officially found my go-to sushi spot in Chicago—and yes, I’ll absolutely be back (probably sooner than I should admit).”
“Came in to say hello to a friend and stayed for the Nimbus, handrolls, ribeye and short rib robatas (please experience!) and Hiro lager by Maplewood. Delicious!”
“Was so excited to try this place, and it did not disappoint! Everything was portioned to share and absolutely delicious. Don’t skip out on drinks or dessert either! Service was great— making for an even better experience. Can’t wait to return”
“Everything was delicious, chef luis did a fantastic job on the menu. Our server, Doug was attentive, friendly, and hilarious.”
“Looks can be deceptive! From outside what looks like a shady spot, changes completely when you enter the restaurant. Hip and funk interiors with house music in the background. Everything from the food to service was amazing. We ordered a bunch of small plates, some of our favourites being the robata beef and chicken. Also a must try in shrimp tempura and of-course the hamachi which reeks of truffle and the Torro hand roll Definitely get the cocktails, we got gold &black sake and espresso martini which again is unique with the sweet potato adding the extra kick. Lastly must try on Tres leche! An amazing blend of flavours with black sesame and hibiki whiskey. Special shoutout to our server Doug for his extreme knowledge and passion towards the Japanese food which showed in the experience we received.”
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