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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.
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.
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.
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'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!
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!!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
1 year ago
7 months ago
I came to Boka by an recommendation. Let's see how they did: Ambiance Walking in, the restaurant had a nice, modern feel to it. There is a wall bar, which was nicely lit. The dining area had a roomy feel to it. There was a green wall with some fun interesting animal art. The chairs were very comfortable to sit on. Service The service was excellent. The staff made sure that we were comfortable and well taken care of. They even assisted and made suggestions with regards to some of our dietary concerns. Food We had opted for the tasting menu. - Beausoleil Oyster and Summer Cucumber Salad The oyster had a nice citrus taste to it. The cucumber salad was refreshing. They served it with some jasmine tea broth. - Lightly Cured Hiramasa One of my favorite dishes. The fish was very fresh and delicately sliced. The strawberry kosho sauce had a slight sweetness and a slight brininess to it. There were some sliced turnips on top which gave a nice crunchy texture. - Tomato with Lemon Verbana This dish seemed so simple, yet it was exceptionally delicious. The tomatoes were sweet and very fresh tasting. The lemon verbana had a refreshing taste which also served as a great palate cleanser. - Tasmanian Ocean Trout The trout was cooked to a perfect medium rare. The fish was very delicate and delicious, and still stood out while being paired to all the other ingredients. It had a seaweed foam and topped woth chanterelle mushrooms. - Maitake Agnolotti The fresh pasta were delicate and were like little pillows filled with a perfectly seasoned filling. It was served with a cream-like sauce with mushrooms. - Colorado Roasted lamb The lamb was cooked perfectly. Lamb can be an acquired taste if you do not enjoy the gaminess to it. There was only a slight trace of that lamb taste. The meat is juicy and work well with the sauce that accompanied it. It had some fava beans served with it. - Calamansi Sorbet with Olive Oil Cake. This one was interesting. When eating the sorbet, the calamansi flavor is slightly overpowering for my taste. The cake and cream help balance it out. I think I would have liked either a bit more cake to balance it out more or less of the sorbet. - Lapsang souchong ice cream The ice cream had a slight smokiness. It was accompanied with a dark chocolate cake with pieces of raspberry on top. There is a sumac crisp on top. Overall The overall experience was phenomenal. Service was great. The decor was whimsical. The food looked and tasted exceptional. The staff is friendly and helpful. The price is a little high but definitely well worth it for the experience that I had. I would definitely go back and recommend going to Boka. read more
Business owner information
Brianna
Joshua, it sounds like you had a fantastic dining experience at Boka!…
While in Chicago, my friends and I are living our best lives. As we all enjoy fine dining, we wanted to check out a Michelin star restaurant. We found Boka with its' accolades and we were happy to make reservations for dinner about a month in advanced. They have the option for a Seven Course Tasting Menu ($165/person) or they recommend you get an appetizer and entrée per person. They also ask that the entire table makes the same selection, either all tasting menu or individual orders. We naturally went with the Seven Course Tasting Menu and a bottle of the Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Roche Calcaire 2020 which was recommended by the staff for being a light choice that would pair well with the tasting course. Their tasting menus change daily. Complimentary bread and house butter is provided and not included as a course. Our 7-course meal has oysters, klug asparagus, lighting cured hiramasa, Fresh white asparagus, slow cooked ocean trout, roasted chattel farms American wagyu, kalamansi sorbet and pistachio. Everything tasted okay if not great, but I wasn't particularly inspired or impressed. It was interesting the asparagus was used in two different items in the same menu. Also the "knife" they gave us for the wagyu was awfully dull. The slow cooked ocean trout was the highlight of the meal and the dish I was most impressed with. The plating was simple, not bad but not glorious either. For being a Michelin star restaurant I was a bit disappointed by the experience. It was good... but not meeting expectations for the hype and the price tag. They wrap up the dinner with a chocolate truffle candy, a poppy seed pastry bite and a bread "gift" to take home. This is pretty typical of a Michelin star restaurant. It was a treat to enjoy but unlike with other Michelin Star experiences, I'm not in a rush to return. Temporis remains my favorite Michelin Star restaurant in Chicago. read more
2 years ago
The tasting menus was delicious and filling. We felt the experience was well worth our money. We also were celebrating an anniversary and the server treated us to a complimentary glass of dessert wine and our final course had a "happy anniversary!" message on it. The overall ambiance was intimate and relaxing. Definitely would recommend! read more
Loved our meal here - better food than my experience at another Michelin-starred place nearby. The food was just so good, and our waiter had a fun, non-intrusive personality. From a unique diver scallop with green apple foam, to a generous amount of black truffle on cavatelli, to all of the delicious proteins (poached halibut, dry aged duck, and lamb), it was a great night! read more
8 months ago
We celebrated my daughters engagement and her fiancé's 40th birthday at Boka last night and it was absoluty superb. I wish I could give it 6 stars. To begin, they personalized the menus with congratulations notes on the front as keepsakes. They then poured the 4 of us a lovely sparkling wine to toast our celebration. We choose to do ala carte instead of the tasting menu and share everything. One dish was better than the next. The caviar was amazing - served in an egg shell with a froth on top. The kampachi had jelly bites that added the perfect flavor accompaniments with unique texture. The beef tartar was delicious - this is epic coming from someone who won't touch beef that isn't cooked well done. And I could make a meal from just the ricotta gnudi - soft dumplings served in a light cheese sauce. My artic char main course literally melted in my mouth. I don't even remember having to chew. For dessert, we split the dark chocolate and oat financier and our server also brought a slice of chocolate cake with a candle for my future son-in-law's birthday. He also had the Boka cookbook with him which our server gladly took back to have the chef sign personally for him. Overall it was a fabulous night to remember, and we thank the wonderful staff for all they did to make it special! read more
The food was absolutely amazing! The flavors complemented each other very well in each dish. This was my first time trying foie gras and it was pretty good, but I'm just not used to the rich saltiness of the dish. Overall everything was perfect though. Btw we ordered the tasting menu. It wasn't so much food to the point where you're stuffed but it was just enough. The service was 10/10 and the servers/waiters were very attentive and nice. They definitely seem to know what they're doing. I also loved the ambiance there as it was in a low light nice environment. We got a nice round booth and it was very comfy. The light music playing in the background was perfect for the environment as well. read more
I am very lucky to say that this is my third time coming to Boka in the last 7 years, and it has remained consistent and impeccable. We were celebrating a special occasion this time around, and the staff were so attentive, informative, and made our whole evening feel special. We tried the 8 course tasting menu, and wow what an experience! Be warned, this is an experience so if you're looking for a quick in and out dinner, I would just order off the regular menu which also has spectacular choices. They started by asking us about allergies or aversions, and treated it as zero problem to accommodate my gluten allergy and my husbands shellfish allergy. We had so much food and are still talking about how kind blowing it is that they are able to pack the smallest of dishes and garnishes with the most intense bursts of flavor. The standouts were the bluefin tuna and the blackberry sorbet, but we truly don't have any qualms about anything we had. The pictures can't even do the taste justice, but I am hoping I am lucky enough to come back to Boka again in the future! read more
I love the ambiance here and the food is absolutely incredible. We did a la carte instead of the prefix menu and left stuffed. The portion sizes are larger than other upscale restaurants and the flavors are incredible. Service was great, everyone was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and the hostesses were sweet and even offered to seat us early! The only negative was that one of us had a nut allergy and our server interpreted that as a peanut allergy, and brought us a post-check treat that had walnuts in it. read more
8 months ago
8 months ago
A wonderful experience. Our server Kevin was attentive, knowledgeable, and very pleasant. The decor and atmosphere were beautiful. Our visit was a few weeks ago, and I still haven't stopped thinking about their dessert. 4 stars only being the lamb menu item they had at the time was a little disappointing. Everything else we tasted BEYOND made up for it. Couldn't recommend this place enough. read more
What an absolutely fabulous meal. I was in Chicago for a conference and recently dined here for dinner with clients. First, it is a lovely space and the service is impeccable. Warm and friendly without being formal. And it begins when you check in with the hostess, Our server was open to providing suggestions when deliberating on what to choose, I was able to take a few pics of cocktails before my clients arrived. As a table we ordered the following Chicken liver mousse - I would have liked the sourdough to be slightly thinner and crispier (still amazing) Dry aged Beef Tartare - amaazing Ricotta Gnuda Grilled scallops Roasted chicken Whole Duck - favorite Cocktails Goodbye Butterfly Moveable Feast Field of Dreams read more
Business owner information
Brianna
Fula, we're so glad to hear that you had an outstanding experience at…
Boka wasn't on my "must try" list for 2023, but I'm really glad it crept in to my schedule anyway. I ended up visiting Boka with two friends for one of their birthdays last week, and it was truly a delightful and surprising experience. We ordered a lovely bottle of red, started off with a few apps, and each got an entree and a dessert. Highlights include the most flavorful tartare I've had in recent memory, a refreshing and vibrant cucumber dish that had me saying "I can't imagine a better iteration of cucumbers", and the chicken entree which was such a savory treasure, absolutely perfectly cooked, that everyone at the table was envious. The desserts were truly delightful, including the hazelnut treat I had which was so full of flavor and tasted like an elevated luxury Chunky Monkey dream. The vibes here were fine... I actually think the interior could use a bit of a rethink and refresh. The Oscar Wilde quote painted on the wall in the room we were in felt weird and out of place in an otherwise cohesive clean vibe. Service was good, overall very attentive and fun and helpful. I would definitely be back and I'll certainly keep this as a good spot for future client dinners as well. One final note: my friend and I are both gluten free and they were very accommodating, including offering a delicious gluten free bread which was a real surprise. read more
Business owner information
Brianna
Liz, we're so glad Boka made it onto your schedule and that you had a…
2 years ago
Lovely flavor palette in the foods, chef puts together unique flavors that you wouldn't normally think of combining. The menu is ala carte or a tasting menu, which wasn't quite explained to me before i jumped the gun and ordered an oyster. Everything tasted wonderfully. The dessert menu didn't explain what the item was so it was hard to understand what we ordered. For the price I'm not sure i would eat there again but it's definitely worth a try. As far as environment, the corner table we were at was hard to get in and out of, which shouldn't be the case at a restaurant that purports to be among the highest. Cocktails were well prepared. Service was good, and the staff were all friendly. We accidentally arrived an hour early for our reservation (because of time change) and the staff was super accommodating. read more
We were visiting from out of town and saw that this was a 1star Michelin rated restaurant so booked a reservation for 2. Let's just say we did not have a Michelin star experience. For what we paid the value was not there in service or product. We were both very disappointed with the experience. Let me break it down for you: Food: we ordered the Lightly Cured Kampachi and the Brown Butter Roasted Hokkaido Scallops for our 1st course. These both had excellent flavors. Presentation was so so. Not what u would expect from a Michelin experience. See attached pictures. For our main course we had the Duck for 1 person which was accompanied by separate serving dishes of delicata squash and duck heart sausage, the second entree was the Black Truffle Roasted Chicken. The Duck was perfectly cooked and served with a sauce administered table side by the waiter. It was delicious. The delicata squash was limp, soggy and room temperature with little to no flavor. The duck heart sausage was very tasty but alas was also at room temperature sadly. Unfortunately this malady carried over to the Black Truffle Chicken which was room temperature on the ends of the chicken pieces but stone cold in the center. Definitely would have tasted better had it been served hot. And again with both these entrees the presentation was very lackluster. I am not sure how this restaurant maintains a Michelin star. My only thought is that more attention goes into their tasting menu and these items on the regular menu have become afterthoughts. Desert menu not very tempting, they could use the input of a good pastry chef. We did taste one dessert that was given to us as a recovery for the missteps of the meal. I believe it was sweet corn with blueberry. It was not that appetizing. Service: Meh. Staff just didn't seem sharp. From appearance of uniforms or suit jackets of managers, to prompt clearing of empty dishes, utensils and glasses between courses. Server technique left a bit to be desired. Our server had to be reminded 3 different times to deliver or replenish drinks. She was nice enough but didn't seem to be engaged. Frankly there was not a lot of energy or enthusiasm from any of the staff we encountered or observed. Except perhaps for the ladies that greeted us at arrival. They were very warm and friendly. Overall, I'd say this restaurant needs a refresher from top to bottom. There were some hits but the misses were glaring enough to leave us wondering how they attained Michelin recognition. Ambiance - sat near bar in booth. Lighting from above was bright at first, but then adjusted by staff to improve ambiance in that area. read more
I get why they've got a Michelin star!!!. The service was impeccable, with ALL the wait staff doing their part in VERY timely manner, while being unobtrusive and respectful The ambiance and overall setting was PERFECT, and the food was FANTASTIC! We ate here during restaurant week and that made it SO worth the money! I was with 2 other folks who were more than willing to share their plates around the table. THAT is heaven on earth for me! So, I'd LOVE to show pictures of every single dish, but Yelp puts a limit on the # of pictures. So, no picture of my Layover in Kyoto, even though it was a PERFECT cocktail! I'm including a picture of the menu, so you can see EVERYTHING we ate... It was ALL exceptionally good! Thank Chicago for their restaurant week, so it's more affordable to try places like this!!! read more
1 year ago
incredible experience from the food, quality, service, and attention to detail. My new favorite restaurant in Chicago. read more
10 months ago
5 months ago
My wife and I had the tasting menu on a Sunday night. The restaurant wasn't very busy so we had a nice quiet conversation and were able to really enjoy the experience. The servers were friendly but unobtrusive. Our main server briefly explained the tasting menu. Service was incredibly well paced. The whole experience took about 2.5 hours and we never felt rushed or left waiting. I won't go into each dish but overall, everything was fantastic. The initial three bites were our favorite. The hiramasa and trout were also standouts. We ordered coffee at the end of the meal and our server brought out a few tiny dessert snacks. It's little things like that that just make the experience special. Two tasting menus, no drinks, coffee, tax, tip came in just under $500. Well worth it. read more
Spectacular food and presentation with multiple layers and depth of flavors and textures. Design of the space by Karen Herold is warming yet captivating. Jamal, our waiter, was very professional and service is top notch, as is the experience. No question why this restaurant consistently earns Michelin Star and James Beard awards year after year, on display outside the restrooms downstairs. read more
3 years ago
Augustus was an incredible server (coming from someone in the industry for years) The ambiance was stellar and I never was left felt wanting. A place to take a special someone or a group of friends to all order everything and try each others plates. Admittedly the TarTar and the scallops were my favorite I'd also recommend any of their huge selection of wines. Chef Lee did it again! read more
Business owner information
Brianna
Preston, we're delighted to know that you enjoyed your experience at…
Fantastic service and vibe. Dined here with a friend twice....................................I always liked their service here. read more
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Brianna
Sol, thank you for the kind and comprehensive review. While we're…
Had a good meal at Boka when we were up in Chicago and would recommend it to others if you're looking for a snazzy dinner! Parking is valet only and easy to miss, so we just parked around the block and walked over. Our waiter was fine and nice enough, but I've had much better service at other Michelin and similar quality restaurants. For drinks we tried some of their sodas - the strawberry one was my favorite but the passion fruit one was good too. Then for apps we shared the scallops and kampachi. I wasn't a huge fan of the scallops sauce, but enjoyed the kampachi and strawberries combo! For my meal I had the short rib and also got to try the chicken, halibut, and duck. The short rib was super tender and tasted good, but I do think everything else was a better option lol. If I had to choose a favorite, I'd definitely pick the duck, which is a plated duck breast and then a small bowl of duck confit. We ended the night with 2 shared desserts and both were soooo good. Overall Boka was a decent meal at not too bad of a price point, but I'm not sure I'd come back when there are so many other Michelin restaurants in Chicago. read more
Business owner information
Brianna
Hi Amanda—…
My husband and I were greeted by the hostess who kindly took our coats for coat check. We were promptly seated for our 7:45pm reservation at the front of the restaurant. Once we were seated our waiter gave us restaurant week menus. I'm not sure if their regular menu was beginning served as we were not given that option, but we were there for restaurant week anyway. I ordered the tuna, roasted scallop, cod, and chocolate mousse while my husband ordered the beef tartare, duck leg ravioli, roasted pork collar, and whipped cheesecake. The bread (one piece per person) served at the beginning of the meal was delicious! Both the tuna and beef tartare were very fresh. I loved my scallops and the sauce that accompanied them. I only wish they served whole scallops instead of cutting them up into pieces. The duck leg ravioli was extremely dry. The cod was moist and flavorful. The roasted pork collar was good, but not great. Overall, my husband and I both agreed that the seafood dishes tasted better than the meat dishes. We also would have loved a little more food on each plate. Nonetheless, $59 for a dinner at BOKA is definitely a great deal. read more
We went for Restaurant Week which was an amazing deal based on the incredible food of an 11 year streak Michelin Star restaurant Food was delicious but we had higher expectations, same with the service. We had to wait for 20 min even with a reservation --Was it worth it? 100% yes Service: we ordered two glasses of wine and they didn't ask us to try a sample first which seemed weird to me, since every fancy restaurant I've been does that. Also, the waiter was leaning against the wall while taking our order. It just seemed like he was tired. The ambience was great, dimmed lights and nice decor :) A MUST try: the grilled scallops. the best scallops I've had in my life. They melt in your mouth and the flavors are brought by the scallop gods. Must try!!! read more
10 months ago
I had a nice dinner at Boka. I ordered the following items a la carte: * Cured kampachi with rhubarb, fennel, and buckwheat * Slow cooked halibut with cauliflower, seaweed, and vadouvan * Roasted rhubarb with guava rhubarb sorbet, Japanese cheesecake, and hibiscus Each dish had a novel flavor combination that I have never tried before, and it was fun for my taste buds. The restaurant is quite dark, so it's hard to appreciate the pretty presentations...or maybe it's just my aging eyes that are the problem. read more
2 years ago
Oh my god. This was so good. We got to sit in the coolest garden area in the back and the service was great. All the food was amazing but I'll be going back for the kampachi, scallops, truffle chicken and oysters! We also got a bottle of wine and cocktails to start. People seemed to dress up more to go here which gives it an upscale ambiance. read more
1 year ago
None of us at the table wanted to order vegetables. Surprisingly, this carrot was delicious, with a taste reminiscent of salmon. The Food Week is definitely worth it. read more
10 months ago
Exactly what you would expect from a Michelin star restaurant. Food was great although slightly too salty for my taste. Service spot on. Ambience chic and sophisticated. Safe bet for a date night. read more
2 years ago
Fantastic dinner to celebrate special occasion! We opted for the 8-course menu and it did not disappoint~ The tasmania trout and venison were our favorite! Impeccable service and outstanding dishes. We were very pleased with our dinner. read more
I love Boka. From the moment I stepped inside and saw the sophisticated looking design, and then the above par service to match with it, I knew I was going to get some good food. We actually requested to do a 6 course meal which they were able to do. It was just the right amount of food. Portions were not tiny, they were very fair and we left full. For the courses I didn't find any that were overly salty or bland, they were all just right. Each course was mouth watering and palatable. read more
1 year ago
A first dining experience for a Michelin 1 star. Reservations were easily made online about 2 weeks in advance with decent availability. They called me to confirm the day before. Valet is offered at $17/hour for 0-4 hours. Cash only I believe. We did not opt on this service. We were seated promptly and started off with moveable feast. Sweet, but not gut rot like, and could taste a hint of the alcohol- Enough to make you feel it but also go down smoothly. Service from start to finish was 5/5. I expected nothing less! Since we were here for a special occasion, we did the 7 course tasting menu and added the oysters and caviar mid meal. They really made this dinner feel like it was for a special occasion! I had menus with my name on it and a special dessert at the end! 1. Braise matsutake (Mushroom soup)- very earthy, I'm not a mushroom fan. Seasoned appropriately. I wish I would've liked this but I'm so biased against mushrooms! Foie gras - SOOOOO CREAMY! I dream about this dish. 2. Lightly cured hiramasa - my least favorite dish with the braise matsutake because of my palette. Very tangy. I did like the jus it came in. You could smell the apple aromatics. This was actually a favorite for the other two diners. 3. Hokkaido scallops: cooked to perfection, celery added complex texture, seasoned well 4. Grilled Murray cod: maybe my favorite dish amongst them all! Now this dish did have mushrooms and I was ready to give them up initially, but wow, I loved the complex flavors that melded! Note: I ate allllllll the mushrooms willingly!! I could've licked this plate clean. 5. Roasted Colorado lamb: the lamb was perfect! I liked this dish a lot. The eggplant purée did make it a little over salted with some bites and added a bitterness. 6. Japanese cheesecake: this is the epitome of every dessert I want. Embodied all of the strawberry, light and not overly sweet. 7. Pistachio - while chocolate is not my first choice, I'd say that texture-wise this was a complex dish and I love that it brought that out. I had a bit of difficulties tasting the the lemon curd but others could taste it. The caviar was also a highlight for me! I loved the dill oil, a bit of sweet and the crunchy from the cucumbers. And the creaminess the caviar came in. Towards the end of service, they brought out a rich chocolate cake covered with ganache. We also had some chocolates and a spiced bread (think chai-esque). We were left with a small pumpkin coffee cake to take home! Such a pleasant surprise. This experience was great! read more
Business owner information
Brianna
Malia, thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful…
Boka Boka Boka What a wonderful evening created by the talented team at this lovely restaurant. The exterior, set back off the street, looks like a grand old home. Walking in, you are met by lush greenery, colorful tiles, rich wood and urban brick. The connecting rooms build anticipation as to what is around each corner. The backyard/patio is cozy with greenery all around. Our service was impeccable. The General Manger, server and busing staff were caring and knowledgeable. The GM checked on us often, our server told stories about the beautiful wine paired with each course. He was a gem. The diverse cuisine competed fiercely against the wonderful wine to see who would be more impressive. Every course was delicate and stunning to look at. The layers of flavors nestled against the nuances of the wine perfectly. I highly recommend Boka for an impressive tasting menu. The prices aren't as scary as other places. The atmosphere is perfect for a meal of this calibur and the service rounds out a memorable evening. BRAVO BOKA!! read more
Business owner information
Brianna
Rhonda, your detailed review of Boka is much appreciated! We're…
More info about Boka
1729 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614
Lincoln Park
Directions
(312) 337-6070
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http://www.bokachicago.com
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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.
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.
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Boka - newamerican - Updated June 2026
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