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    Ada Street

    4.3 (616 reviews)
    PriceyBars, American
    Closed 5:30 pm - 10:00 PM

    Ada Street Photos

    Business Info

    ADA STREET ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Ada Street

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    Sweet Pea Paccheri
    Bob S.

    Spectacular first meal at Ada Street. With six of us dining, we managed to sample 11 dishes--and not a clunker in the bunch. As you may have heard, most servings are tapas-style and arrive whenever the kitchen sends them out. The good news? Every dish landed on our table piping hot and fresh from the stove, like they had a VIP escort from chef to plate. Here's what we ordered: * Brussels Sprouts - Crisp, with a glaze that had just the right balance of sweet and savory. * Steak Tartare - Loved the French onion sauce and those housemade chips. * Shishito Peppers - A long-time favorite, perfectly blistered. * Fried Green Tomatoes - The pimento cheese and roasted corn gave them an extra pop of flavor. * Mussels - Generous portion, though the nduja sausage was bold enough to steal the spotlight. * Bolognese - Comfort in a bowl; rich and deeply satisfying. * Gnocchi - Heavenly pillows that almost melt on contact. * Sweet Pea Paccheri - As a pea lover, this was my sleeper hit of the night. * Rolled Pork Belly - Plum mostarda brought a tangy-sweet note that played beautifully with the richness. * Lamb Ribs - My personal favorite--perfectly charred with a killer char siu glaze. * Brioche Doughnuts - Warm, airy, and a sweet ending I'd happily repeat. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibe? Ada Street hides in an off-the-radar location that feels a little mysterious. You enter through a dark hallway--part maze, part speakeasy--before the space opens into a warmly lit dining room, bustling open kitchen, and a gorgeous outdoor patio that makes you want to linger.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Drinks? The cocktail menu is worth a visit on its own. My Cosmonaut was just okay, but The Killing Floor and Diamond Rico were standouts--creative, balanced, and dangerously drinkable. Shout-out to Meagan for keeping our table happy and well-hydrated with both skill and charm. Ada Street nails the food, atmosphere, and service trifecta. Already planning my next visit.

    Emily T.

    I went here for a monthly dinner with my friends and it is by far the most randomly located nice restaurant I've been to in Chicago. Truly, it's on a side street by warehouses and if you did not know it was there you would never see it. However, I'm glad I found it because the food here is excellent portion, extremely flavorful and has great attention to detail. My favorites by far were the carrots and the bread pudding dessert. We tried most of the menu and I would say the biggest pass for me were the mussels and the pastas. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The inside of the restaurant feels somewhat like a warehouse, but also intimate at the same time[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] the service was decent overall, but we did have a big group. I would definitely come back to share some small plates again and get some cocktails.

    Carrots and feta
    Trina K.

    After having Ada Street on my place to check out list for quite some time, I finally made it, and it was well worth the wait. No wonder why it's been around as long as it has, [[HIGHLIGHT]]It offers a cozy, intimate vibe with a small plates format that's perfect for sharing.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They recommend ordering 3 to 4 dishes for a party of two, which might be slightly ambitious unless you're extra hungry or just in the mood to sample. For us, a slightly lighter spread would have sufficed. We started with the shishito peppers, and honestly, they stole the show right out of the gate. Mild, tender, and packed with flavor, I could've happily had an entire bowl to myself. I'd return to Ada Street for those alone. Next up were the carrots, which were unexpectedly amazing! They seasoned and full of flavor. Then came the lamb ribs.... tender, perfectly cooked, and rich in flavor. The only challenge was holding back from devouring all of them, especially knowing the salmon was still on the way. Each dish held its own, but the peppers and lamb ribs were the standouts for me. Items arrived without any particular order (dishes are brought out as they're ready), which kept the pace of the meal casual and fun.

    blistered snap peas 14
    Sherard C.

    Made a last minute reservation on a Friday and got in for an early dinner. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ada Street is definitely a spot that has carefully and thoughtfully curated it's ambiance. As you walk into it's unassuming building, you are greeted with unique decor and the speakeasy experience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The food and drink did not disappoint with well thought out recipes executed to perfection. I thought the eggplant was especially yummy and the donut to be a great way to end the meal as well. I will definitely be back for another date night. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Bar seating is available as well.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It's only a matter of time before this place becomes a household name.

    Tuna ceviche
    Melanie T.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Such an unassuming spot from the outside of the restaurant! Ada street is located in an industrial area and opposite from some pickle ball courts. You wouldn't know there was a highly regarded restaurant there just by walking by. It does have it's name on the entrance door but nothing fancy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It does have plenty of parking spots right outside. [[HIGHLIGHT]]When you walk in, prepare to walk down a very dark long hallway, then turn a corner to walk down another dimly lit hallway where you can check in with a staff member and be seated.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Reservations are recommended as it's quite popular! [[HIGHLIGHT]]We had reservations for two on their outdoor patio on a Thursday evening. The outdoor patio is covered and enclosed so you're mostly protected from the sun except for the heat.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] My friend and I ordered several dishes to share, and while some were really delicious, others didn't quite meet expectations, especially for the price. - Seared Scallops: These were the star of the snow! Packed with flavor, perfectly seared so that it was caramelized and crisped on both sides, and topped with a refreshing garnish. Absolutely recommend. - Parisienne Gnocchi: This was my second favorite. Perfectly soft and pillowy bite-sized gnocchi! The texture and flavor was so good. Creamy but not too creamy. Not too heavy either. Perfect for sharing. - Rolled Pork belly: This one had good flavor but given that it's a very large piece of pork belly (literally rolled up, and almost the size of my hand), it would have been much more balanced with either a side of rice or some veggies or greens. It was much too heavy and savory to be a main dish on its own. It was also a bit difficult to cut with the knife they provided and was a little chewier than tender. - Tuna ceviche: This one missed the mark, as it unfortunately lacked flavor. I wanted to like it more but it was just okay. The cosmonaut cocktail was delicious and reasonably priced for its quality! Lastly, the service was attentive but almost too attentive. The server checked on us quite often, and I found it a bit unnecessary, though I appreciated the effort.

    My Lamb Ribs in the background
    Sidney Z.

    After spending 8 days in Los Angeles and going to every restaurant I've been to 20 times, it is refreshing as hell to be back in Chicago and trying new places. Tonight was just another fabulous restaurant that the city of Chicago keeps throwing at me! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ada Street Restaurant, just west of Bucktown, is this super hip, dark, fashionable place that at first looks industrial but after you walk in it's actually quite cozy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The menu is short and to the point. I had just driven in from O'Hare, so I was by my lonesome, grabbed a bar stool and ordered three things, two of which I haven't had this century: * Lamb Ribs Charred to fall off of the bones had sesame and scallions in a glaze sauce - this plate was remarkable * My roasted eggplant dip with sambal, labneh with naan bread was very very good - This could have been my favorite dish this year * A Doughnut that was cinnamon-sugar coated brioche with blueberry jam. I haven't had a doughnut in 25 years. It was excellent * To top off this rather exceptional dinner I ordered a Miller High Life beer that I also haven't had for decades The Ada Street Restaurant was very special. I cannot wait for my wife to come back to Chicago so I can share my experience here with her. I'm positive she will love Ada as much as I did. I must call out the bartender Kyle. He curated my dinner wonderfully and the Miller High Life Beer brought back a lot of memories.

    Aditi D.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]We celebrated a friend's birthday at Ada St., and it was truly one of those nights that just flows--incredible food, cozy ambiance, and everything so thoughtfully curated.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The custom menu was such a nice touch, and the evening kicked off with a punch-style cocktail that was both fun and delicious. The Food - Elegant, Flavorful & So Satisfying Vegetarian Appetizer - Light, fresh, and beautifully plated--a perfect start to the meal. Gnocchi - Absolutely fantastic. Pillowy soft with a rich, flavorful sauce. Easily a standout dish. Donuts for Dessert - Next-level good. Warm, fluffy, and just the right amount of sweet--the perfect ending. My friends loved every single dish, and the menu catered well to all dietary preferences, which was a huge plus. The Vibe - Warm, Private & Just the Right Amount of Cool [[HIGHLIGHT]]The setting felt exclusive and intimate, and we loved that we could control the music--a super fun detail that made the evening feel even more personal.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The space is stylish but not pretentious, and the service was top-notch--attentive, kind, and genuinely excited to make the night special. Whether you're hosting a celebration or just want to enjoy elevated, thoughtful food in a beautifully curated space, Ada St. is an absolute gem. Can't wait for the next excuse to go back!

    Steak frites
    Katie L.

    Probably the best restaurant I've tried recently. The interior is DARK when you enter so be wary. The drinks are DELICIOUS (the martini) and the steak was cooked perfectly. Everything that came out of the kitchen smelled delicious and this place does fill up! Would come back in a heartbeat.

    Kathy T.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Best hummus and great ambiance![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We came for a friends birthday celebration and ordered a bottle of champagne and some appetizers. The hummus was by far everyone's favourite

    prime New York steak
    Michelle P.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Celebrated my birthday dinner here and I'm glad we did! It is located in a very unassuming area and for sure is a hidden gem.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]There is a pretty spacious patio area connected to the back of the restaurant too.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The waitress had suggested 4-5 dishes for two but since we were pretty full from lunch, we opted in only sharing two dishes. I love love mussels so I was super excited to try the mussels everyone raves about. And oh my gooooodness. Moving from California, I have missed boiling crab soooo much. The mussels reminded me of boiling crab.. so much flavor and garlic. The closest thing to boiling crab in Chicago that's for sure. A must get.. I'll be dreaming about this dish and I will be coming back for it. The foccacia that it comes with also is so soft.. almost like a cheesy bread without the cheese? I'm not sure how they do it. But I'm all for it. The NY strip with shoe string fries was also good but I think because usually I go for a ribeye, the meat felt a little chewy to me but that's really a me thing. The shoestring fries were tasty and the portion was insane. [[HIGHLIGHT]]So glad to have had such a great celebratory dinner with Ada![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Pei Mussels, bolognese, lamb ribs
    Grace K.

    Overall had a tasty experience but nothing blew us away. The carrots and eggplant were probably favorites. We also had the bolognese, mussels, and lamb ribs -- all well done but again, nothing incredibly memorable for us. Also, service was friendly but some of the random details left us a little wanting (no water until we asked halfway through, one of the drinks took 20 minutes, took away our plates before asking, etc.). Not wanting to nitpick because overall it was a nice experience but it was just an adding up of small things that puts this at 4 instead of 5 stars. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambience was cool and a great vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Overall good, but went in with very high expectations and was just not blown away!

    F****** French Martini
    Valerie L.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ada Street in Chicago, located on Ada Street, offers romantic ambience, fantastic food and superb service.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We enjoyed the New York Strip and shoestring fries with garlic aioli. Huge portions and absolutely flavorful and tender! Cooked to perfection. Enjoyed a wonderful martini and could not pass up dessert! We shared the pretzel bread pudding with maple whip. It was equally wonderful! The bread pudding was creamy and the maple whip complimented the pudding.

    Carrots
    Layna L.

    Dined in on a Saturday night. The area around the restaurant is a bit random, but the interior is dimly lit, small and a pretty cozy space. We were seated right at the bar, with the bartender attending us. He was very attentive, frequently checking in on us and refilling our water. The menu is small, but I prefer that as it helps with narrowing down what to order. They recommend ordering 3-4 plates to split between two people and they course out the dishes. We ordered 4 plates, which I felt was more than enough food for 2 people and we could have gotten away with just 3 plates. We ordered the carrots, mussels, squash agnolotti, and black rice. I was very impressed with the portion size of everything, especially the mussels! That was the standout dish for me: the charred focaccia it came with was especially delicious when dipping into the broth. Every dish however was tasty and had a different flavor profile to it. I would love to come back and try their other dishes, such as the mushroom rotolo.

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    6 months ago

    Went for birthday dinner. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Beautiful atmosphere, very cozy vibes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The carrots were amazing! Great service.

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    1 year ago

    Really did their best as every aspect of the dinner. Exceptional service and great food!

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    Page 1 of 16

    Ask the Community - Ada Street

    Are kids welcome?

    I'm sure they would be, but definitely more of a grown-ups kind of place. I might go with one kid if she was mature and an adventurous eater.

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    Three Dots and A Dash

    Three Dots and A Dash

    4.1
    (4.2k reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$$

    This place is a yes, yes, and yes! I have a buddy that loves Tiki bars and found this place/made a…read morereservation, so our group came to visit on a Sunday night. The vibe is speakeasy-ish; the entrance is off the street in an alleyway but the interior is very nice, low light, and would be fun for a date night! The staff were attentive and very friendly. My friend got some shots, which were surprisingly good given they were kind of sweet, and I ordered the "mystic lamp" cocktail ($16) which was VERY memorable to me as someone that loves floral drinks -- it was very floral, slightly fruity, and had a lovely chunk of lychee it came with which was delicious! The drink was decent sized too; I've been charged a lot more for much less drink at other speakeasies (those of which I don't plan to visit again any time soon haha). In my opinion, this spot has the perfect combo of great drinks, nice ambiance, cool speakeasy-vibes, but also cheerfulness given the tiki-theme inside. Would definitely rec a visit to anyone visiting Chicago who likes cool bars!

    I can't understand what the fuss is all about here. I couldn't wait to leave…read more This place represents itself as a tiki bar but is the most half-hearted attempt I have ever seen. I was excited for the experience having heard how busy it gets, blah blah. These positive reviewers need to seek out other tiki bars. After you negotiate the alley entrance and go down dangerously dark stairs, you are met with crazy boring decor. I kept thinking there had to be more right? The whole point of a tiki bar is to strike a mood, but hanging a very few polynesian masks on the wall, putting up a grass facade over the bar and dressing the servers in vaguely polynesian outfits is sad. I've seen private tiki bars at people's homes that are more exciting. Add to this a comparably boring music selection played far too loud over boomy lo-fi speakers and you'll wonder what's going on here. So what about the food and drink? Completely uninspired for anyone who's had more than a mai tai before in their life. About a dozen extremely common drink choices is all you get!! No specials, that's it. When I asked if this was the whole cocktail menu, the server said it was but they have a full bar so you can get anything you want. Well, I could get that service at just about any bar in the world, so big deal. Maybe it would be better if you sat at the bar and chatted up the bartender. One could also go taste their rum selections and other cocktails in the Bamboo Room, but I hate that kind of elitist nonsense. That's never been what tiki bars were about. The drinks we sampled were okay at best. Even the namesake 3 Dots and A Dash cocktail was lackluster and used cheap cherries for the dots instead of classic Luxardos. (If you know, you know) The appetizers were okay, but way overpriced. 5 tiny spring rolls for $18. Come on guys, enough already. I'd rather go to the bar at the Polynesian Hotel at Disney than return here. This place is a hard pass.

    Photos
    Interior Entrance
    Interior Entrance
    These Loaded Luau Cheese Fries
    These Loaded Luau Cheese Fries
    Tiki gift shop.

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    Tiki gift shop.
    Rossi's Liquors

    Rossi's Liquors

    4.2
    (432 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $

    Friendly and lively dive bar (4/5 Green Stars) Waiting for…read moretake-out from nearby Lou Malnati's, we wandered into Rossi's for a quick drink. It's a reasonably-priced busy dive bar in the heart of Chicago. I asked the bartender if she had a beer + shot deal and she said "no, but you can order a beer and shot." And so we did! Noise level is fairly high, thanks to a lively crowd plus a jukebox. They don't normally serve food but I think are fine with customers bringing in your own food, and you can also place an order from a nearby restaurant (I don't recall which one). And yes, it's cash only so bring some money if you don't want to pay ATM fees! 4 out of 5 Green Stars for social and environmental impact. I like bars that allow customers to bring (or order) their own food - it allows for all diets! The one thing I'd like to see is more beer on tap - even just one good rotating local beer (e.g., Goose Island). Draft beer has smaller environmental footprints compared to bottled or canned.

    Recently stopped by Rossi's Liquors and this place is the definition of a dive bar, in the most…read moreauthentic way possible. After a quick ID check at the door, the bouncer let us know it's cash only (thankfully we came prepared). From the moment we walked in, dim lighting, loud music, and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds gave the vibe of a full-on frat party, but not in a bad way. It's chaotic, energetic, and unapologetically no-frills. There's even a self-serve cooler with drink prices clearly listed underneath. I grabbed a Sapporo Premium, brought it to the counter, and our friendly bartender broke our change and offered a chilled glass to pour it into. Simple and efficient. That said, it was loud, so loud that even whispering-distance conversations were a struggle. The space is small, seating is limited, and since we couldn't snag a spot, we ended up leaving shortly after finishing our drinks. This feels like a better weekday hang than a packed weekend night. Still, if you're looking for a classic, gritty, no-frills dive experience, Rossi's delivers exactly that.

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    Nightcap
    Nightcap
    Rossi's Liquors
    Rossi's Liquors

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    O'Callaghan's

    O'Callaghan's

    3.5
    (315 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    Sat at the bar because it was Friday night and the tables were all taken. I liked the variety of…read moremusic, the ambience, the atmosphere....and the burger and fries! That burger----was SOOOO GOOD (Char Burger) and the waffle fries were kind of crispy- good! They had an NBA game playing on the tvs. Service from both bartenders was great- Our main server had great attention to detail. (realized they forgot the mustard without me saying anything) All in all- great! (Skip the fish and chips- get the char burger!)

    I came in with three friends and we grabbed a high-top table. We ordered a few rounds and…read moreeverything was going fine. Toward the end of the night, two of my friends left, and the remaining two of us paid our bill and were finishing our drinks while waiting for our Uber. At that point, the bartender came over and told us she needed our table for a large group. The table wasn't reserved, and we were clearly just finishing up. We told her we were about to leave anyway, but the way it was handled felt really abrupt and rude. What made it worse was that she immediately brought a group over to take our table, and even they were apologizing to us because they seemed uncomfortable with how it was handled. I've worked in bars and restaurants myself, so I completely understand needing to manage space, but there's a way to do it respectfully, and this wasn't it. Unfortunately, this experience left a bad impression, and despite having been here multiple times before, I won't be returning.

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    Dining Room
    Dining Room
    Corned Beef
    Corned Beef
    O'Callaghan's

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    Ada Street - bars - Updated July 2026

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