This place is excellent. As you enter the restaurant you transported to a resort in Mexico. The ambiance, decoration and lighting are on point. The music is also very fitting, almost as if we were in White Lotus. We sampled almost all of the tacos, our favorites were the lobster and asada tacos. The queso is also very good, recommend adding chorizo on top. A fun surprise was how good the street corn pasta, would definitely recommend. For dessert, the stand outs were the churros and the flourless chocolate cake. The mango sorbet is very fresh and light. The drink selection here is top-notch with many different options. I recommend the peligrosa (comes out on fire) and the Mexican old fashion (comes out in a box with smoke) The service was very on top of everything, cleaning our plates as we progressed through dinner. Very kind and considerate. Overall, highly recommend. read more

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Chic bar with some really good music and a ambiance that brings the senses back to Tulum Mexico. The seating is comfortable with lots of modern natural aesthetics throughout. Came to grab and stayed for the music and relaxing day. read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - PLAYA DE PINA - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Vibrant dinner restaurant, great for celebrations. The interior is delightful with the cutest monkey light fixtures and boho vibes. Margaritas are well made and worth it! If you love wine, you may be disappointed in the wine selection and prices. We had a pineapple dish that had a lovely presentation with fire. They did the presentation and then took the plate back to the kitchen and brought out the chopped results. Tortillas we're fresh and everything we had was delicious and perfectly cooked! Around 9:30/10pm they dinner the lights and it started to feel more club-like. We were celebrating a birthday and the shots presentation was really fun, they can't flying in on a plane with strobe lights. Overall, great food and fun experience! I knocked off a star because we waited over a half hour to be seated and had a reservation. Dishes also piled up on the table and service was no in line with the price point. All in all would recommend for the experience. Make sure to plan for extra time as you may not be seated immediately and service is slow. read more

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The service was absolutely lovely she was attentive without being annoying and the ambiance is so nice we were on vacation and so anytime to be outside is better than where we're from. As for FOOD the Spanish rice was mid, my tacos were good but nothing to rave about them I wouldn't do that by any means. My man got the carne asada plate and he asked for medium and pink was nowhere to be found. We made our server aware and she took care of it right away no problem and it was much better medium but not life changing! I'd give this place a 3.5/3.75 if I could but it's not remotely weak enough to give a 3 so I'll stick with a 4. I wouldn't come back but I'm not upset I came! read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - BARBACOA, rice, CARNE ASADA* - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a great experience! A group of friends and I attended costera for brunch and I definitely enjoyed myself. We had an incredibly early reservation so being served wasn't an issue as it was empty. The staff ensured we were well taken care of and tended to. There was even the smoke machine going to create a Mexico like vibe; it was cute. I indulged in the masa empanada and a spicy watermelon margarita for starters. I was not a fan of the drink as it tastes like spiciness. The kind that just sits in your throat and does not have flavor. I presume the watermelon balls were supposed to help but it didn't come together for me. The empanadas were tasty - crunchy and favorable but I did see how they put a ton of lettuce around and underneath the food to make up for the fact there were two. For my main dish I got the enchiladas and that was a hitter. I felt the flavor profiles pull together and push through. I would get that dish again. My only ask is that rice could've been added to it. I gave this review four stars rather than five due to the pricing. While I understand I'm supposed to be wowed, I just can't justify the price points for certain items. For example, two empanadas costed $18. My entree itself was $21. For three more dollars, I got a full meal. Appetizers should not be more than an entree or large plate item. The costera guac is $25. That's absurd. So while I enjoyed myself, I would not return. It's not worth it. read more

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Ambiance was very open and inviting. Service was wonderful - loved my server although I don't remember his name. The ceviche wasn't what I was expecting, didn't care for it much BUT that lobster spaghetti was everything! I would go back just for that and the pina alcoholic drink read more

Cute romantic space (with 20% mandatory tip crowd). Used to be something else but I can't keep track anymore. Everything (enchiladas, lobster pasta, raw options) was meaningfully elevated with solid portions of protein. read more

The food was great. Service not as much. Server only came around once to take our order and then once afterwards. Closer to when we were done eating no one acknowledged that the special occasion was for a bday. Other tables surrounding us got their special treat. Totally disappointed with the service. read more

This review is for Kaitlyn T with Parker Hospitality. I was very excited to plan a dinner for 12 at Costera Cocina. The restaurant gave me Kaitlyn's name, phone #, and email address. Over the past 2 months I have reached out repeatedly through phone, email and the website's online inquiry page to arrange a reservation. We got zero response over several weeks. Very bummed about not being able to have the dinner here. read more

I had been wanting to try this place for a while and finally made it in on National Oyster Day. We came in early for the HH menu too. Oysters were on special that day. The restaurant is beautiful and smelled like Palo Santo which reminded me of vacation. The decor was bright and clean - altho I think it turns clubby at night. I'm too old for that so I was glad we came in early. We started with 6 and 12 oysters which were just ok. Some didn't have much brine, not sure why - could be careless placement, and the oysters were all still attached and there was sand or shell in a few of them. For a dollar each (special that day) it was fine but if I paid full price, I wouldn't have been happy. Then we tried the barbacoa sope and a couple of the salmon tostadas. The barbacoa was good (the best thing we had there) but there was a decent sized piece of bone which could have broken a tooth but thankfully I felt it right away. The salmon was good but the tostada it was served on was green and had a weird aftertaste. We also had the chicken and asada tacos, which were just ok. The salsa verde that came with the chicken was really good tho. We also had a spicy margarita which tasted like it was made with mix, but I could be mistaken, so we didn't have any more. I'm not sure if the quality was the way it was bc of the special menus or not but the regular menu can be pricey so I don't think we'd risk it and try coming here again. The service was hit or miss. When I got there I let them know I had a reservation and that I was there for oysters. They seated us in the main part of the restaurant but when I asked for the HH menu they told me that was only outside or in the bar area. IMO if that's the policy, then ask before you seat your customers. Anyway, I said that was fine so they moved us to the bar and said the seated bar section was only for reservations, which I had but didn't want to press. The seating at the bar was fine but seats were wood so it isn't super comfortable after a while. I'm assuming they've had issues with clientele bc when you make a reservation they send you information about their dress code, when you walk in there is a note about automatic 18% gratuity and they take your credit card up front. Kinda weird for vibes and sad for the business but not a huge deal. All in all, I think the experience was not great but could still be worth checking out - just manage your expectations. read more

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Great vibrant environment. Drinks were amazing but I wouldn't say the food was all that great. Wonderful for a girls night out!

Stumbled upon this place close to our hotel. The weather was perfect so we opted to sit on the patio. The service was great. Our waitress was attentive and super helpful. The tuna tartare was so fresh and the charred avocado was perfect. I really enjoyed the veggie chips that were fried to perfection and dusted with salt. Highly recommend! read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - Tuna tartar, SHORT RIB CHILAQUILES, SHRIMP AGUACHILE* - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great flavor - the pancakes were delicious!!! Cute vibe and ambiance inside. Definitely gave tulum vibes. Waiter was very attentive and tended to our needs. Pricing was typical what you see in that area. read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - HUEVOS RANCHEROS - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The prix fixe menu during Restaurant Week was a good way to experience their range of menu items. Each course was nicely crafted, showcasing bold, Mexican flavors. Unfortunately, some flavors were a little too bold: salty and sour on blast and overbearing. For example, the arugula completely covered in sour lemon/lime. The burrito was super salty to the point where I needed a lot of water to balance it out. Regardless, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a relaxed lounge area good for brunch. I think Costera Cocina Tulum is a decent choice, but there are a few others in Fulton Market I'd try before making my way back. - AD read more

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Dinner at Costera Cocina was a true delight. We started with the tuna tartare--fresh and perfectly balanced--but the real star was the guacamole "with a twist," topped with shrimp, salsa macha, and cheese. That smoky, nutty salsa macha is unforgettable! The grilled octopus was tender with a perfect char, and the torta de Milanesa with side salad was hearty and satisfying. Dessert, churros two ways, was the ideal sweet ending--crispy, warm, and indulgent. Service was attentive and friendly, rounding out an exceptional experience. Costera Cocina delivers thoughtfully executed dishes with bold, layered flavors--I'll definitely be back, starting with that guacamole! read more

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This spot has a good happy hour! Lots of bites and drinks to choose from and each item was delectable. It took a little bit to get seated even with a reservation due to them getting a last minute 20 top inside - we were sitting on the patio however. The atmosphere inside is just gorgeous, you really feel like you've stepped into a classy beach destination! From the HH menu we ordered an array of items. 2 orders of steak tacos, 3 orders of the barbacoa sope, 2 salmon tostadas, chips and guac, assorted margs and a couple drinks of the main menu. The standout for me was the salmon tostadas, it was topped with fresh salmon, pistachio, and other sprinkles of flavors that I found absolutely delicious. The mix of flavors all went so well together. The salsa that came with the tacos was fresh and tangy and brought brightness to the tacos. The barbacoa sope was also packed with flavor and the pickles veg gave it a nice bite. I mentioned we were celebrating my friend's belated birthday and our server surprised her with a birthday treat which I thought was very thoughtful. All in all their normal menu prices are on the higher end so I'd definitely come back but for their happy hour again in the future. read more

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Would come back again, Happy hour deals are awesome! Carne asada tacos and el secreto were delicious! Found the esquites to be the most lackluster thing ordered. Would come back again with a bigger appetite maybe. Very kind servers and support staff were on it. Loved the ambiance. Dont loveeeee how close the two tops are to each other you couldnt help but hear every word the table next to you was saying which can be a bit of a damper. read more

Went here to celebrate my cousin's birthday. I would definitely return for happy hour. The drinks are good and the food is okay. I'm not a big fan of spicy, not even a little bit. Everything had a kick to it, which was overpowering for me. It took away from me being able to enjoy my food. The ambiance was night, and we had the BEST server. He knew the menu and was very attentive, helpful, and knowledgeable. I got the esquites and asada tacos. The esquites were good, and the appetizer portion was nice. My main course was the asada tacos, which are different because they come with potatoes on top. It was different and I enjoyed the blend of flavors. The drinks are good, but a bit pricey. However, they do offer happy hour . All in all it was a nice experience. read more

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Costera Cocina is an intimate and sophisticated restaurant that's perfect for a romantic evening. Started with the masa empanadas and octopus. The Mahi Mahi empanadas were fresh and slightly spicy, but very good. The octopus had a bright acidic flavor and was complimented with a nice sauce and vegetables. Then ordered the pollo tacos and vegan chorizo tacos. The pollo was great and the vegan chorizo tasted authentic, but it wasn't my favorite. Decided to try the passionfruit mango cheesecake which was delicious. Very light and large enough for two. Overall, a great place for a quiet, romantic dinner. read more

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Worst service with 20% added on and was told that was mandatory. The bar guy was nowhere to be found to question the 20% surcharge! They are a huge ripoff ! Do not go there read more

Cool vibe. I came here just for drinks after having dinner elsewhere but the music and vibe pulled us in off the street for a nightcap. If you're looking for a girls night or club Telum vibe, try this place. The prices were kinda high for dinner and drinks but I guess average for the area. The bar area took some time to get drinks, but the server was nice. I'd come back to try the food. read more

We've been here a few times our favorite dishes by far the enchiladas. For everything and the atmosphere is free lively. Our waiter, Angel had a bit nicer and helpful. We will be back. read more

The food was decent overall. I think it's far overpriced for what it is, but that's just typical West Loop. This restaurant has really nice decorations within it and is a nice vibe. The service was decent. It was quite slow and I found myself having to chase down our waiter multiple times just to get service. The churros were probably my favorite part given that it comes with two stuffed churros as well as a churro cake. read more

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At first glance of the menu it looks pretty boring and basic... but the food was anything but that. Everything on our table tasted AMAZING. Our table ordered asada tacos, Al pastor tacos & the ceasar salad. And it was all so good. Al pastor tacos are great shareable as two people were able to eat 7-8 tacos each. The staff was friendly and accommodating to our table as we were late to our reservation. The only downside id say is the hidden fees. We asked for hot sauce and it was $5 lol. But overall good experience read more

We came in for happy hour to grab some drinks and it was worth it. We just snagged a seat at the bar. Our bartender was very nice and friendly. Even though he was busy, he never rushed us when ordering or answering questions. I had the expresso martini and paloma. Both were very strong and delicious. Their flight of cocktails called "La Casita" is served in tall shot glasses, but it is a great way to taste whether you would like a specific drink or not. The salmon tostada was decent.  The decor is insanely cute and makes you feel like you're escaping Chicago! read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Dinner was incredible! I went on a Monday and it was very chill and not busy at all. The music was good and the decor made me feel like I was really in Tulum so great job there. Their house margarita was solid and paired perfectly with the chips and salsa to start the night. The chicken tacos were a great appetizer to share and the short rib plate was 11/10, so soft, juicy, and full of flavor. It came with cauliflower mashed potatoes that honestly tasted like real potatoes. Their dessert menu looked super promising but I was so full and couldn't commit to the churros two ways. Definitely coming back for those next time. My waitress Judy was amazing, full of energy and had great menu recommendations. read more

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This place is so cute. Great happy hour specials in the west loop. A beautiful space really. I found the food to be good, service good, and it was a great after work experience! read more

I came for dinner with two girlfriends on a Saturday night and walked into what felt like a nightclub complete with girls carrying liquor bottles with sparklers and loud music. It's definitely a fun spot with good drinks but the food was pretty subpar. We shared some chips and salsa, vegan chile relleno, fish tacos, and vegan chorizo tacos, all of which were just okay for us. Would come back for drinks or happy hour but not sure about another sit-down dinner. read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - FISH CARNITAS - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great service. Dined here for lunch outside. The restaurant is gorgeous. I had the short rib quesadillas, these weren't what I expected but tasted ok and we also had the langosta/ lobster tacos. Also had the French fries which are terrific. They have a lime like seasoning on them that I loved. I had a La Casita Margarita which was ok. No complaints. Would dine here again. read more

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We came to celebrate a friends bday. The food and ambiance was wonderful! I felt our service was good initially but then it slipped. I know it was busy but drinks were missed and not really checking in. However we did like the food and would definitely come back in the future. Could be one of those nights! read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - VEGAN CHORIZO TACO - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Solid happy hour at Costera. Steak nachos were great but the guacamole tasted artificial. Margs were solid, just wish they salted the rims. Gorgeous restaurant, kind staff. read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - Steak nachos - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came here to celebrate my birthday with friends. I wanted to like this place so bad but overall I'm not sold. Perfect place for IG footage. Dim lights, plants, smoke fog floors, and loud music. Esthetically you can make it work for you. We were crammed in a small table with four people almost touching the other crammed tables by us. The drinks could have been stronger for the price. We did enjoy most of our food but overall it was overpriced and not worth the hype. Prime location with great opportunities for pictures but parking can be a headache read more

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Great experience! We had an early dinner on the patio so did not get to experience the "club vibes" but I did walk inside and the place is beautifully decorated and reminded me of my experience in a similar restaurant located in Tulum for a friends bachelorette party. Our server was great with lots of helpful suggestions. We got the guacamole on happy hour and it was very flavorful with bottomless chips. We also ordered the short rib quesadillas. This is a point of strong opinion, as we all would have called this an empanada. However, strong debate would point out that it's not an empanada because it is not closed. Anywho...it tastes awesome so just get it. I opted to get the street corn pasta and added shrimp per my server's suggestion. It was really good and such a different concept. My husband got the burger and he really loved it as well. The dessert menu looked amazing but I was unfortunately too full to try any this visit. I would definitely return to Costera Cocina Tulum! read more

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Very cool, trendy spot in the Fulton Market section of West Loop! I have been here numerous times for brunch/lunch and dinner and it doesnt disappoint! Bar and wait staff are always nice and the ambiance puts you in the mindset of a joint actually in Tulum if you've been before. Cool little monkeys hanging from the ceiling and the overall tropical look of the place sets it all off. There is a very nice sized outdoor patio to chill on during these warmer month of course. Food here is really good as I have had the following: Brunch Pina Colada French Toast (Out f'n standing!) Short Rib Chilaquiles ((Amazing) Mollete (yummy) Lunch/Dinner Lobster Roll (Good) Costera Burger (Very good) Cavatelli with Sweet Corn (Chef's Kiss) Drinks here are decent as well as the Paloma, Shadows in the Jungle (old fashioned), El Secreto (tequila espresso martini) and Sandia Fuego are some really good ones to throw down. If you have't been, its a dope place to check out! read more

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We came to try out their happy hour menu and I thought the food was pretty good but the portions were quite small, but still reasonable for the happy hour prices. Besides the guacamole and chips, everything off the happy hour menu was a bit hard to share between people without making a mess. We also tried the fish tacos off of their regular menu and my particular piece of fish happened to be way over salted. The restaurant itself is beautiful and they clearly put a lot of thought into the design. It's perfect for a fun, romantic date night. read more

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This is such a cute place! Lovely decor. Service was a little slow at the beginning as we were waiting over 10min to get greeted by our server. However, once they did come they were great. Super nice and attentive. For drinks I wanted the Day Party at Bagatelle which was not available frozen. Our server still was able to make the drink for me on the rocks and let me tell you... ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. Probably my favorite cocktail EVER and I am not exaggerating. We got the tuna tartare to start. It was pretty good. Not the best I have ever had, but solid. For entrees we got the fish tacos and the shrimp tacos. Both were good but nothing earth shattering. Solid choices but a bit pricey. Overall, I would definitely go back to try other dishes and for the best cocktail ever! read more

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Food: my friends and I tried the set menu for lunch and it is such a good deal! Since we were a group of 3 we got to try each of the entrees and appetizers. Dessert was probably my favorite part! Service: servers were very friendly! Ambiance: super cute vibe that transports you to tulum. I would say it's nice casual and in the summer really makes you feel like you are somewhere else ! read more

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Popped in for my mom's birthday. Decor is cute, feels like you're dining in the tropics, definitely tulum vibes. Service was just ok. Our waiter talked a lot but really wasn't informative on the menu. There's no indication of happy hour, but over heard him tell the table next to us, all ladies, the happy hour deals. Cool but we would like to know too. Which we did ask and he said happy hour is only available at the bar but I mentioned he let the table full of ladies do it why can't we? They made an exception if we ordered happy hour cocktails but failed to tell us it would be an up charge if we asked for top shelf liquor. Would of been nice to know and we would of stayed with well liquor. The up charge was about $4-$6 additional of top shelf. So $9 happy hour cocktail plus $4+, do the math, it's not really a deal. The drinks were just ok, the traditional lime marg was not the greatest, you could tell the lime juice was old as it was very bitter. Food just ok. Al pastor is sweet and understated, presentation is cool with the fire. Pork shank was under seasoned also, not much flavor, kind of cinnamony. Corn pasta was better than the pastor and shank. Complimentary mango sorbet for the birthday gal, that was tasty. For the price, I don't think this place was worth it. read more

Costera Cocina Tulum - Chicago - QUESO FUNDIDO and CRISPY TACOS - Mexican Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I really enjoyed this restaurant though. I'll be honest was pretty great. It really does. Remind me of Tulum and the service was spectacular. The food was good in my opinion, but it could use a bit more seasoning. The ambience is really great, perfect date night spot. read more

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Went for restaurant week and it was great! I did think the drinks were too sweet but overall the food had good flavor and a variety! It's definitely a place where you want to go for an experience read more