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    Boka

    4.3 (1.9k reviews)
    Ultra High-EndNew American
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Boka Photos

    Business Info

    BOKA ATMOSPHERE

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

    Recommended Reviews - Boka

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    Reviews With Photos

    Golden milk Panna cotta
    Tray

    This spot has been a staple in Chicago since 2003 and you can really tell with how polished everything feels. The ambiance was amazing, even better at night. Dim lighting, nice music, and not too loud so it still feels intimate. 9/10. Service was incredible. Our server suggested we do the tasting menu as a surprise without knowing the dishes beforehand and that made the experience even more fun. They were super attentive with water refills, switching silverware, and all the small details. They even gave us a cake at the end to take home which was such a cute touch. 9.5/10. Food-wise, there were a lot of standout moments. The trout was one of my favorites. The sauce was amazing, not too fishy, and the seaweed on top made it perfect. 9.7/10. The tuna had such a clean texture with a bright citrusy flavor. 9/10. The panna cotta was also sooo good, loved all the textures. 9/10. The foie gras toast was sweet and really enjoyable. 8.5/10. The venison was great with the sauce and veggies. 8.5/10. The caviar worked much better when everything was mixed together. 8/10. Some dishes were a bit more mid. The asparagus had a great sauce but was too soft. 7/10. The ravioli had great flavor overall but I wasn't a fan of the bits inside. 7.5/10. The yuzu pâte de fruit was super refreshing like little yuzu gummies. 8/10. The mignardises were good, just not super memorable. Overall, such a beautiful and well executed tasting menu experience. Definitely one of those spots for a special occasion.

    Tasting Courses (sweet)
    Alicia M.

    I had the tasting menu at Boka and the food was delicious and the presentation was nice, but there weren't any standout dishes. Hospitality was great and service was very friendly. We were celebrating a birthday and the birthday dessert was super cute and the team did a great job making the meal feel special. I enjoyed the Sublime cocktail which was pretty light and not spirit forward. There is a coat check and valet service available.

    Ambience
    Nidhi N.

    We went for restaurant week so the menu itself was great for the prices. I got the wine pairing as well which was great. The appetizer was good, tried something unique. The main dish was underwhelming, expected a lot more from a Michelin start restaurant. The dessert was tasty but I wish it was a warm/cold brownie. Service was great, they were very informative about the dishes and the wines. Ambience was beautiful, I love how spacious it was.

    Hamachi, carrots, scallop, pork belly and neck, chocolate mousse.
    Amy A.

    We are back at Boka after a 6 year hiatus. It was nearly impossible to get reservations so we had to stalk the openings to try to get a date and time that worked for us. We ended up getting 4:45 pm on a Saturday. It was a bit early for us but we made it work. Traffic going to the city was a colossal nightmare, so we called to let the restaurant know we were running late and they held our reservation for 15 minutes - thank you to the nice women at the host desk! We got a nice corner booth in the main dining area and it was so nice. The booth seats up to 5 people from what we've seen. It's a great table. This was Restaurant Week and the food was good as always. My dinner date and I chose the same items this time and got the tuna, scallops, pork, and we each got a different dessert. My favorite was the tuna. My date's favorite was the scallops. The weird thing with the scallops is that they didn't give us a knife. We had to try to cut the scallops with the fork and spoon they gave us. Pork was tender. Everything was very good, but I don't think it was as good as pre-Covid years. The one thing that detracted from the ambiance and the food was the service. Our server "F" seemed annoyed to serve us. Like he didn't want to work during Restaurant Week or he didn't like having just 2 people in the big booth. He took our order, gave us the check, and that was it. Never once asked how we were doing, how the food was, nothing. When we were done with our drinks, he just took it away. Didn't ask if we needed or wanted anything else. Another weird quirk was that I was able to order a house made soda Hibiscus Mint, but when my date asked for a mojito, they came back to tell him that the restaurant didn't have mint. Um. Ok. FYI - They still share valet with Alinea, so they may be a little bit of a wait when they are busy.

    Kari O.

    (Kari's Rating 9.5/10) Came with a group of six people on a Monday evening and had to wait 24 minutes, but I'm sure people are here for restaurant week so the wait was kinda expected even though it was slightly inconvenient. The vibe was an upbeat, calm/modern vibe almost like my therapist's office. Very relaxing. They started with a Hawaiian looking roll with a light whipped butter, but was a little bit dry but the butter saved it. The first course for restaurant week was a steak tartare with a delightful combination of mayo and carrots on top. It was just the right portion size and tasted really fresh with crispy toasted bread crumbs. My friend got the cured tuna which was not very fishy and overall good mouthfeel. The apple jelly was interesting, it wasn't bad in combination with the tuna but I wouldn't eat it by itself. The jelly made it feel very Michelin star. The scallops were absolutely delicious, the seared crust and inside were cooked perfectly, there were two sauces that came with them, the yellow sauce was airy, light and paired really well with the green dill sauce, however, they had a light mayo sauce, I believed was a little bit unnecessary and made the overall dish a little bit heavy, but it was one of my favorite things I ate of the night. For the main course, most of us got the cod. The oyster mushrooms were very meaty and actually quite delicious with a brown sauce. The cod itself was a little bit underwhelming, although I know it's not necessary a flavorful fish on its own. The presentation was nice but not very colorful. The fermented cabbage was kind of an interesting contrast, but it gave some color to the plate. I probably won't finish this entree and I didn't. Glad my friends were hungry. The dessert was absolutely delicious. I opted for the Bavarois^, which I had no idea what it was but I was pleasantly surprised. It came with a nutty, meringue piece. The best part was the mango gelato and the honey oat topping. The actual bavarois^ was so creamy and light. This Bavarois^ can whip me anytime On contrast, the caramel brownie was relatively average, I'm glad I went out of my comfort zone to try something new as it really paid off. I would definitely come back. For the price I paid for this meal without a drink, I absolutely would come back in a heartbeat!

    slow cooked icelandic cod and grilled pork collar
    Kelly L.

    one of the best chicago restaurant week menus i've had! we had an early dinner reservation and didn't have to wait and coat check is provided. everything was very well curated and perfectly seasoned. all the options we chose were so good. the personal favs were the beef tartare, cured tuna, scallop, and pork collar! both desserts were tasty as well the brownie being perfectly fudgey with nurs and ice cream while the yuzu had a great crunch and sweet tart ending the whole meal well. service was really good with water and clearing of plates and silverware after eacg course. they also continued to offer us complimentary bread rolls once finished during the first 3 courses. overall such a good time with this fine dining option and a great deal. my partner and i were fully content and would come again!!

    Complimentary bread and house made butter.
    Morgan H.

    The Michelin-starred Boka was recommended to us as an exquisite fine dining experience in Chicago. They serve seasonal American cuisine and you have the option of doing the tasting menu or ordering a la carte. Everyone at the table must select the same. Service was lacking for a Michelin starred restaurant in my opinion. We were warmly greeted in the beginning but once we decided against the tasting menu, our server disappeared for long periods of time. My mom ordered a drink and it was never brought to her. It just felt like it went downhill over the course of the night. Service aside, the food was the best we had during our visit to Chicago. We decided to order a la carte and really stuffed ourselves. Each table is started with complimentary bread and butter and it was so simple but one of my favorite parts of the meal. For my small bite I started with the Chicken Liver Mousse. The texture was perfect and I loved the sour cherry on top. We shared the Brown Butter Roasted Hokkaido Scallops and they split them for us. As a starter, we felt that each of our portions were rather large. They absolutely melted in our mouths! My main was the Colorado Lamb Loin with Jimmy Nardello peppers. It was the best lamb I've ever had, so tender and flavorful. The real star of the meal was the entree that my mom selected, the Roasted Dry Aged Duck Breast. They really know how to do their proteins. The crisp skin with tender meat was absolutely phenomenal. We selected two desserts and they bring you out two complimentary small bite desserts as well. Overall we had a fantastic meal. I think it's worth a visit!

    James Q.

    Best restaurant week menu in Chicago, and one of the best meals I've ever had. Every single course was a homerun, including the cocktail. Great service and great environment too. It felt like we were in a different world when we walked in the doors. I can't wait to come back here.

    MinJung K.

    So, so delicious. Everything--from the bread and butter to the mains and dessert--was outstanding. My favorite dish by far was the scallops: perfectly sweet, fresh, tender, and not even slightly rubbery. I could have honestly eaten a whole bowl of the sauce it came with. I also really appreciated how accommodating they were with dietary restrictions. You could tell they genuinely wanted every guest to have a great experience. It felt like the food was made with so much heart, and that level of care really came through in every bite. The ambiance was nice and moody, a bit semi formal but it didn't feel super dressy. Service was wonderful, the food was exceptional, and I'd happily return again and again.

    Complimentary Dessert Bite
    Miranda L.

    Returned to Boka to enjoy a Valentine's Day Dinner with my husband. Boka is such a treat for us and never disappoints. We were very excited to revisit and try some dishes we hadn't had from 3 years ago. We enjoy doing the A La Carte menu so we can choose items ourselves but I have heard amazing things about the tasting menus. This visit, we were sat in the bar area along the front of restaurant window. It was nice to enjoy the city as we ate and I'm always surprised at how well Boka has noise control amongst the three dining spaces. We started with a complimentary glass to champagne since we were celebrating Valentine's Day. They had both alcohol and non-alc options which was nice. The preference is to order all courses at once and the kitchen will pace out your meal. We started by sharing the Bluefin Tuna Tart, Brown Butter Roasted Hokkaido Scallops, and Chestnut Agnolotti. They did a great job of separating the dishes into two so my husband and I could enjoy our own plates. The Tuna was a perfect two bite dish that balanced fresh tuna in small pieces and what I experienced as a mustard like acidity. The Scallops were the dish of the night for both of us. We each got 4-5 scallops covered in a sauce that left us wanting more. This was both of our first times trying scallops and wow! The chestnut agnolotti was a sweet, filled pasta that was a nice break from the savory dishes. Could not recommend these three dishes more! For entrees, I got the Black Truffle Tajarin and my husband got the Roasted Dry Aged Duck Breast. The black truffle was served in smaller shavings so one can enjoy throughout the whole pasta dish. The noodles are perfectly aldente and the sauce was the best part. The duck is their signature dish with a crispy crust, rich flavor, and perfectly fatty balance. For dessert, we got the Black Walnut Chocolate Cake which came with a lovely celebration message. The cake was chocolatey, rich, and toffee flavored. We also got complimentary dessert bites with our check. So happy to be able to revisit Boka, try some new dishes, and revisit some old favorites. This is the perfect approachable one Michelin Star restaurant if you're looking for an elevated date night out or special occasion celebration.

    Kyra S.

    This was hands down one of the best dining experiences of my life. The restaurant was perfectly laid out and the ambiance was perfect. My sisters and I treated our aunt in celebration of a milestone birthday. The staff made a point of assuring our time was amazing. The tasting menu was top tier- every single course was perfectly prepared and left us excited to see what was next. We also enjoyed the wine and mocktail tasting . If get a chance please go.

    Kameetrice F.

    I am sad to write that I was not impressed! While visiting Chicago with my sister for the 4th of July I decided I wanted to check out a Michelin Star restaurant. I was able to secure a reservation for two on the 4th of July ! I guess it's not a popular spot for 4th of July plans. We did not rent a car for this visit, but were able to get to this restaurant using the Chicago Transit Authority!! ( you can get a day pass for $5- highly recommend)!! I live by the saying that if you are early you are on time , and if you are on time you are late ! As such a we arrived about 15 minutes prior to our reservation. We snapped a few pictures outside and headed to the host stand. We were immediately seated in what appears to be the main dining area. Our wait staff came over and welcomed us in. He introduced himself and took our drink orders. My sister and I both ordered the Smoothie king. We also ordered a bottle of water. The drink was ok, nothing memorable or a drink I would have to have again. I was excited to try the entree Black Truffle Roasted Chicken. The waiter advised that it is prepared with either pork or beef. I don't eat either. I was so disappointed, because online it gets rave reviews. I imagine that beef or pork enhanced the flavor. Since I would not be able to order the chicken I had to take another look at the menu to decide what I wanted. I opted to just order a number of appetizers. My order included the following: Kampachi Crudo Grilled Scallops Parsnip Tortelli The best tasting of the 3 would be the parsnip tortelli. The others were good, but nothing I woke have to have again. My sister ordered the lamb loin. She said it was good. We did opt for dessert and had the dark chocolate ! Now the dessert was divine!!! I was so happy eating every bite! The dessert was done right! Service was mediocre at best. A good wale of this is that I actually also ordered the chicken liver mousse but I assume the waitstaff forgot to put it in. After trying the items that did come out I was happy he forgot since I was not blown away by the food. However, It's fair to expect more attention to details from a restaurant of Boka's status. Overall, I was expecting more! Better service , food that tastes so good I would be thinking about it the next day! Maybe my expectations were too high!

    2nd course: Roasted scallops & duck leg tortelli
    Melissa R.

    We were first time Boka visitors for this year's Restaurant Week and it was such a treat to be able to experience this upscale dining at an entry price. This was a 4 course offering where you could choose between 3-4 items based off your preference (of course we each got different items so we could taste as many dishes as possible!). As a tasting menu, portions are smaller but we did not leave unsatisfied! The dining spaces are beautiful and unique, offering a little different ambiance in each room and service was impeccable. Note: not all dishes are on their regular menu so there have been iterations or specialty offerings for Restaurant Week but based off these menu items, I would certainly come back to try more! The only dish that didn't blow us away was the cod. Pro tip: get whatever dessert they have at any time--both were incredible.

    tasting menu

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    Page 1 of 48

    Boka Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Boka

    Can you accommodate 4 people, one gluten sensitive, one coconut sensitive and all 4 vegetarians? We would like a degustation menu.

    Hi James, We can definitely accommodate this dietary restriction. Feel free to let us know if you need any assistance with a reservation.… Read more

    Is there parking readily available or should I take a cab?

    They have valet parking that's reasonably priced.

    Are vaccine cards required? It seems a lot of restaurants' websites have not been updated properly. Thank you!

    They didn't check when I dined in last month.

    Can you accommodate vegetarians?

    Yes there are veggie starters and mains

    Does the tasting menu have a lot of seafood?

    Only 2/10 (3 if you count caviar) dishes when we went in early September

    How long does the dinner tasting menu last?

    I'd say around 90-120 minutes to fully enjoy the experience.

    How far in advance can you make reservations?

    Hi Nina- Reservations are available online up to 30 days in advance. If you are looking for… Read more

    Is the new High Top seating just the bar seats with a high top table or would you be standing?

    Hello- The High Top seating is a booth across from the bar. You would be seated. Thank you!… Read more

    What kind of warming equipment will you have if we have a outdoor dinner? Really want celebrate my birthday at a restaurant instead of at home!

    Hello, thanks for reaching out. We currently have heat lamps on both our covered patio, back patio and front patio.

    Is there any dress code?

    We do not have a dress code at BOKA. Most guests are comfortable in business casual attire but dress coats are not required. Thanks!

    Hi - is it possible to bring well behaved kids (3 and 5 year old) to the restaurant? We have a 5pm seating on a Sunday night. Would the chefs be able to accommodate a kids plate? Thank you!

    Hi Kwan- Thank you for reaching out! We welcome guests of any age at BOKA! I have brought my own… Read more

    Is Boka good for solo dining? Is there a bar where one could sit and get a bite and glass of wine?

    Absolutely! Treat yourself to a solo date here, you won't be disappointed. They have lovely cocktails. A great wine selection. Excellent bites. However, the bar area has limited seating. I would call ahead.

    Is there an age that is not permitted in the restaurant?

    Hi Ethan! There are no age restrictions at BOKA, though we do ask for ID for anyone who looks under 30 and wants to drink alcohol. I'm not sure what you mean by the "Gallery", however. We do have a room with a moss-covered wall that we usually refer… Read more

    Dressing code enforced?

    While we recommend Business Casual, there is not a strict dress code at BOKA.

    We are coming to Chicago to celebrate 25th wedding anniversary. Would love to eat at Boka but no reservations available. Any other suggestions? Gilt Bar? Thank you

    Try Bellemore or Somerset. Both part of the same restaurant group. Both awesome.

    View All 16 Questions

    Headquarters Beercade River North - Hurricane Fries

    Headquarters Beercade River North

    4.0(602 reviews)
    1.3 miNear North Side
    $$

    I haven't been to a barcade where most of the games were free, so that was a really nice surprise…read more We originally just went to kick off a bar crawl, but they had trivia/Jeopardy going on, it was freezing outside (low 20s), and we ended up staying way longer than planned. It was actually a really fun time, and I'll definitely be back. The pizza looked really good too, but I didn't even see a kitchen so I'm very curious how they're making it.

    The Doctor was at an auction at Tamarkin Camera and me and The Queen and BFF #1 were looking for a…read moreplace to hang out to have a drink while waiting on him to wrap up. Unfortunately Machine was not open, which is downstairs from this place, so we went here. Usually there is a bouncer outside, covering both places, but no one was at the door so me and The Queen walked upstairs. The bouncer was upstairs and saw us come in, so he asked for ID. He explained that everyone gets card before they come in, which is not a issue for me. The overall vibe, for me, was definitely a frat hangout vibe. There are arcade games all over the place and cutesy names for beers and cocktails, like the Froot Loops (vodka, coriander honey, oat milk, shochu, saline, milk carton, and froot loops). Man I do not do cocktails and this is the reason why. There is too much going on in that glass for me to deal with. Prices for cocktails range from $14-$15. BFF #1 got a vodka soda for $13, but looking at the size of the glass, it was on the small side. BFF #1 said it was on the weak side. I was happy to hear that there was prosecco, so I got that. The Doctor showed up and got a beer. The selection of beers was limited from what I could see on the wall, maybe there was a list someone else behind the bar. The bartender was a really sweet, she was all smiles and kept calling me baby, which was so funny to me. I tipped her well because she was great on them pours of prosecco. We did not do food as we were heading to Club Lago for dinner and I didn't realize that they had food until I checked into Yelp and saw the online menu. The Queen actually went to a DJ set here with Roosevelt, I believe, and said it was a good event. Not a place I would normally hang out in, but I can see the appeal for folks in their 20s as I would definitely say outside of The Queen, the three of us were the oldest folks in there. Lots of people taking Instagram photos and posing or making short videos with those ring lights. I imagine it can get super loud when it is busy, but that is a vibe for some folks. I would say if that is your thing, this is the place for you.

    Photos
    Headquarters Beercade River North
    Headquarters Beercade River North - Hurricane Fries: HQ sauce (soy-ginger gastrique), bonito flakes, nori, and sesame seeds

    Hurricane Fries: HQ sauce (soy-ginger gastrique), bonito flakes, nori, and sesame seeds

    Headquarters Beercade River North

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    Chalet - Crab Cakes

    Chalet

    3.7(191 reviews)
    1.3 miNear North Side
    $$

    Stumbled upon this gem on Valentine's Day and I lovedddddd every bit of my experience!…read more For starters, they had cute valentines themed drinks and they were so tasty! They also decorated for Valentine's Day and it was soooooo aesthetically pleasing, great picture props! The music was also a viiiiibe -- whoever was DJing understood the assignment that day! Our server's name was Alon, and she was amazing! Very attentive, sweet, and informative. I told her I needed her name so that people would know who to look for when they visited next lol. She maintained great service, even when it got busy and she had to help others! Now, let's get to the part that matters most: the food! My best friend and I both had their burgers -- so fillingggggggggg and the house made aioli chefs kiss! We already decided we'll be back to try the tacos bc Alon said they're fye and I trust her judgement! The drinkssssssss -- honey listen, the champagne drink was a cute starter bc that margarita definitely didn't come to play! Also -- we didn't have reservations and still were seated in a timely manner with timely service! I'll be revisiting them for sure!

    It was just okay! Basic breakfast some R&B and high prices and gratuity added ! We had a large…read moregroup some of the food came out quickly and other had to wait and send items back . Several of the ladies complained of cold food and uncooked bacon ! I personally don't get the hype!

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    Chalet
    Chalet - Crab Cakes

    Crab Cakes

    Chalet - Chips & Guac

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    Chips & Guac

    Arbella - Whipped feta was sooooo good!

    Arbella

    4.4(695 reviews)
    1.7 miRiver North, Near North Side
    $$

    We love Arbella!! Atmosphere inside was great, really large space! We sat at the bar, the…read morebartenders were super friendly and attentive easy to talk to and order from. LOVE the $6 cocktail of the day happy hour (M-F 4-6pm) . Our cocktail of the day was a watermelon lemon drop which was delicious!! Will be coming back next time in Chicago! My local friends new favorite staple bar.

    Months after visiting, Arbella still ranks among the best cocktail bars in the city for me!…read more One thing that really makes Arbella unique is their globally inspired old fashioned menu- whether you're an old-fashioned fan or not, these are a must! They've upped their happy hour game by including a rotating global cocktail with previous menu drinks and a daily kitchen special. This time, I ordered the oldest old fashioned and the Oaxaca old fashioned to drink. I thought the first was the best old fashioned I had ever had, but the second was even better! I loved the subtle yet not overpowering smokiness of the mezcal in the Oaxaca. Neither were too sweet and you could really taste the high quality bourbon. We ordered the Korean fried chicken and coconut shrimp to eat from the happy hour menu. The shrimp was super crispy with a delicious ginger-orange compote and rice vinegar pickled onions. Highly recommend! I did think the chicken was a bit tough, but the flavor was good. Another great experience of many to come! If you haven't stopped by Arbella yet, add this to your bucket list asap!

    Photos
    Arbella - DJ Adam Pecho bringing down the house

    DJ Adam Pecho bringing down the house

    Arbella - Crab rangoon

    Crab rangoon

    Arbella - Vietnam Old Fashioned

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    Vietnam Old Fashioned

    Beatrix - Whipped Feta

    Beatrix

    4.2(2.7k reviews)
    1.8 miNear North Side
    $$

    While staying in town nearby I came here for breakfast... I chose this place because the reviews I…read moresaw were all great and once I got there, I understood why! Service was very helpful, friendly, a nice! The menu for breakfast is very good and they have a very popular and amazing coffee bar with lots of pastry options too. I chose their Bacon, Egg, & Cheddar Sandwich and asked for hash browns with it and for those to be extra crispy. Starting with their regular coffee - it was great! Then the food came out relatively quickly and looked amazing! The egg was PERFECTLY (ABSOLUTELY PERFECTLY!) cooked! The sandwich came together and tasted amazing... I especially loved the bites of freshly sliced jalapeño and the arugula in the sandwich too!! The has browns were made the way I asked and tasted sooo good! Overall, I would definitely recommend giving them a try and I can see why the reviews were so good! My visit was very nice.

    Overall, it's a pleasant place to meet with friends or coworkers after work. The music isn't too…read moreloud and doesn't interfere with conversation. As for the food: I understand that this is very subjective, but neither my husband nor I enjoyed the appetizers. That said, my husband did like the kebab. I had the whitefish - overall, it was pretty good. If it weren't for the lemon, the dish would have felt like it was missing some brightness in flavor. The service was very polite - no complaints at all.

    Photos
    Beatrix - Atmosphere

    Atmosphere

    Beatrix - Shakshouka

    Shakshouka

    Beatrix - Old Fashioned

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    Old Fashioned

    Boka - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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