TAO Chicago
Jordan Gary · 482 Google reviewsTAO Chicago — a chinese spot in River North. The noise level tells you everything you need to know. Worth ordering a drink, because the bar holds its own. "The filet mignon with shishito peppers was so tender and perfectly seasoned" — Johanna Slocombe [$$$]
What 3,873 diners keep saying
What 3,873 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“It so beautiful in there The fried rice was 50-50. The tuna sushi roll was really good I don’t like sushi, but that was good.”
“Väldigt bra mat, skön musik och snälla servitriser. Har inte mycket mer att säga overall bra ställe värt pengarna.”
“Kathleen, our server, was amazing! We were here for a date night and she was super attentive, made really good recommendations and she’s from Ohio. Food was top notch and my date loved the wine. Go Ohio! Thanks Kathleen!”
“OBSESSED with Tao's happy hour!! Food and drinks were delicious (favorites were the charred edamame and crispy tuna) and the martini flight. Our service was incredible, shoutout to our server Kaybree who was so warm, accommodating, and friendly. Came on a Tuesday around 6pm and while it was quiet in there, the vibes were still immaculate. Would be nice/helpful to see clearly labeled dietary markers on the menus, but honestly I have no complaints. Elite way to spend a weeknight. :)”
“TAO never disappoints—great service, great food, great drinks.”
“TAO is vast and impressive, the kind of space that makes you pause mid-sentence and look up. I hadn’t been inside a TAO in at least 20 years, and never the Chicago location, but Restaurant Week felt like the right excuse to revisit my past and see how it aged. (Pretty well, it turns out.) Start at the bar and arrive early — the lychee martini is very sweet, but at happy hour prices it’s basically irresponsible not to have one (or two) before heading to your table. We kicked things off with the Spicy Tuna Tartare on Crispy Rice, which leaned a bit hotter than my personal comfort zone, but was still solid. The Pork Potstickers, however, were the runaway hit — amazing, addictive, and I absolutely could have eaten a dozen without regret. The Cashew Chicken was surprisingly clever: somewhere between sweet & sour chicken and cashew chicken, but executed at a level that makes you think, “This is like P.F. Chang’s… but in the best possible way.” Comfort food with ambition. The Wagyu Skirt Steak was plentiful, perfectly cooked, and delicious. I wasn’t a fan of the cilantro lime dip, but thankfully the soy sauce on the table understood the assignment and handled things just fine. Cocktails continued their subtle mission to disguise alcohol. The TAO-tini was tropical, sweet, and dangerously easy to drink — a recurring theme. Dessert was indulgent. The Chocolate Buddha was large, rich, and layered with chocolate on chocolate on chocolate. But the surprise winner was the banana pudding, which quietly stole the show. We also added a crunchy spicy yellowtail roll, which was a great addition and far less spicy than the tuna — a welcome plot twist. Overall, TAO delivered exactly what you want from it: scale, fun, solid food, and drinks that sneak up on you. I’m already looking forward to coming back with a group to try more dishes — assuming it doesn’t tip too far into clubby territory next time.”
“Very welcoming service, great food, had a good time there, nice decoration also.”
“Tao Chicago is renowned for serving the finest Japanese cuisine in Downtown Chicago. It stands out as one of the top destinations to celebrate birthdays and enjoy memorable gatherings with friends. The delectable food tantalizes your taste buds, and you can savor delightful cocktails alongside. The grand stature of the restaurant, accentuated by the captivating lights, creates an enchanting ambiance that adds to the dining experience. Visiting Tao Chicago is highly recommended, especially for a special date night. You are guaranteed to impress your companion with this exceptional dining choice. However, it's worth noting that the restaurant falls on the slightly expensive side. Nevertheless, the remarkable experience is well worth the cost.”
“Food was fantastic and the service was top tier. Music was loud but we didn't mind it since we were getting ready for the Rave concert that evening. We tried Grilled Branzino, Crispy Coconut Alaskan Halibut and their off menu Dish that was suggested to us by our waitress, short rib fried rice with bone marrow and truffles 🤯🤌🤌🤌”
“I wish I took more photos so I could share here, but WOW! What a fun experience! I've been to the TAO in Las Vegas, and I have to say this location is much better! Loved the atmosphere and the step down with seating in between for smaller parties. I came in for a business dinner. Everyone ordered a bunch of small plates, rolls, apps, etc to share instead of doing apps and entrees and I found the Xperia de to be much more enjoyable that way! Shared plates, conversation, etc was a great way I spend the evening. Had a few lychee tinis and they were phenomenal, as always. Next time I'm in Chicago I definitely want to return here for dinner!”
“I absolutely love the ambiance! Just gorgeous. Didn't like the BBQ chicken with was vinegary so I exchanged it for the crispy orange chicken, which wasn't crispy. The Brussels Sprouts weren't charred and very crunchy. I also had to exchange my cocktail. Dinner was over $200 for 2 people. Service was great. He loved his food.”
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