Kayao Restaurant
Andy Le · 127 Google reviewsKayao Restaurant — top-tier japanese in Old Town. Order the Ceviche. The setting does the work on date night. Carly Nelson: "The short rib is so tender it absolutely melts in your mouth and has the most incredible flavor" [patio]
What 1,304 diners keep saying
What 1,304 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“The manager Juan Carlos was very accommodating and last minute gave our 5 person group a spacious booth. Drinks and dinner were timely served by our waiter Miguel. 10/10 experience. This is a must-visit spot.”
“A restaurant that captivates from the first moment with its minimalist and sophisticated style. The decor is clean, modern, and harmonious, creating a tranquil and welcoming atmosphere perfect for enjoying a meal without distractions. Every detail is carefully considered, from the soft lighting to the impeccable presentation of the dishes. The true star is the fish: fresh, perfectly cooked, and bursting with flavor. The quality is evident in every bite. The texture is tender and juicy, and the seasoning is perfectly balanced, highlighting the natural flavor without overpowering it. Definitely one of the best fish dishes I've ever tasted. An ideal place for those seeking an elegant dining experience, with excellent quality and a modern, relaxing ambiance. I would definitely return again and again.”
“Wide spectrum of bright notes feel when you try their food. Delicious.”
“This place rocks. The servers are nice, the food is fantastic, the drinks are delicious. We just randomly stopped in during restaurant week and stopped by the bar and had one of the best meals we've ever had. I'm so passionate about this place, I'm reviewing it while I'm still here!”
“Had a great experience and the food was delicious. Ordered off the Chicago Restaurant Week menu; Yucas Trufadas and Arroz Con Mariscos. Split both desserts with my dinner guest. We were there around 7pm and service was great, the staff was attentive and helpful. They have an enclosed outdoor area which I'd like to come back and check out someday. Plus, want to try some dishes I saw from their regular menu.”
“Restaurant week 2025!, recommended for our friends, we enjoy our dinner a lot! Was of the best Peruvian foods I have had in Chicago. Service was great even I felt rush, thanks Fernando for your help. Better to Make a reservation since it was busy Thursday night. PD: get the lucuma ice cream, the panna cotta is tasty, but it very similar to a vanilla yogurt”
“I absolutely loved visiting this restaurant! It offers Peruvian fusion cuisine with Asian influences — modern, elegant, and with a great atmosphere. We started with the tostones with guacamole, and I loved that the server presented all the ingredients and prepared the guacamole right in front of us — such a fresh and fun touch. The Kayao ceviche was delicious, with perfectly balanced acidity and flavor. But the highlight of the night was the Pollo Anticuchero — an airline cut chicken served with a flavorful glaze, incredibly juicy and tender, it literally melted in the mouth. The endive salad on the side was a great complement. Overall, an excellent dining experience with great attention to detail, beautiful presentation, and authentic, well-executed flavors. I’d definitely go back!”
“So good I forgot to take pictures. We went during Restaurant Week and got their $30 lunch special. I recommend their ceviche clásico (which has the right over balance of tart and citrus in the tiger’s milk) and the arroz chaufa de hongos (great balance of crispy from the mushrooms and grease of fried rice but still light).”
“We had a great meal at Kayao, including the Acevichado, Mantaco Tartare, Ceviche Nikkei, Ceviche Clasico, Arroz con Mariscos and Chaufa. Everything was high quality and delicious. Dayan was our server and was excellent. She was friendly and gave us great guidance on menu selections. Each dish was coursed nicely with a description of each dish as it was presented.”
“Came for weekend brunch with family. We all had different things so I managed to get a taste of many dishes. Really excellent food, the oysters with leche de Tigre and aji Amarillo were great. Ceviche and grilled mushroom humus was also done very well. The branzino for the brunch price fixe was cooked perfectly and the risotto excellent . Deserts were also very good. Attentive servers and great decor. Will be back.”
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