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I liked it; I didn't love it. Should you try this place? Absolutely. Should you go at a weird time late at night just to make it happen (if you're not a night owl)? No. The hype will eventually die down and it'll be more attainable and less chaotic. We showed up for our 9:30 reservation and weren't seated until 10pm (Lolla weekend). We weren't allowed to get a drink at the bar or get a drink and bring it back to the waiting area. Womp womp. Once seated, Wah took great care of us. She helped answer questions and made sure we always had room on the table for more incoming dishes of food. The space is beautiful. You feel transported into a lush, luxurious jungle of sorts. Apparently people come in just for the basement bathrooms. They're gorgeous, don't get me wrong. Maybe I was too sleepy for midnight selfies? The dishes I'd get again are highlighted here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbrwJHnstQ3/?igsh=amVodmMwMjR3eHYy I will say, I appreciate that the restaurant sent over a comp salad and cheesecake for our table to try and make up for the wait. What's better than free food? A better first impression. I think this kind of thing will get better as it's around longer. I'd love to come back again on a normal day maybe around happy hour. I bet the vibe will be way better/more chill.
Waited 20 minutes for a Table for 2 on a Sunday night. The service was smooth and very kind! The interior was very nice and upscale. The food was great!! We got to try the panang curry and lobster pad thai. The pad thai was a bit salty, but good overall. Really enjoyed the curry as it included small potatoes and pineapple in the dish. Great experience and would definitely come back to try the other dishes!
A fun, sensory way to celebrate a birthday! Did not have reservations; walked in right at opening time and were able to sit at the bar as a party of 3. Not sure why so many other tables stayed empty, but the bar seating was comfortable regardless. The space feels straight out of the White Lotus. Tropical decor, with rich colors and textures. We tried several cocktails, but the freezer martini was the crowd favorite. Be warned though- it's strong! The prawn toasts are a must try, and the lamb/roti and papaya salad rounded out the meal. Our servers were informative and engaging, and even brought out some sorbet on the house. This is certainly not a cheap meal, but perfect for special occasions, and you will not be disappointed by Chicago's latest Thai restaurant concept.
We finally got a reservation at crying tiger and we were so excited! Needless to say, we got there about 15 mins early to take in the ambience and vibes. Got out table on time and dived straight into our meticulously planned order. For entree we had the crispy pork belly and the wagyu short rib Khao Soi. The pork belly was incredible, soft and crunchy at the same time, sitting on an incredible jus for us to soak up all the flavour. The khao soi was as fresh a salad can get with the mint leaves, crispy onions, tender short rib and the fish sauce holding it all together. For mains the Maine lobster pad thai was the star attraction. I felt the lobster itself was incredible but the pad Thai didn't have any oomph factor. A good but not a great dish in my opinion. Also, a tad bit too salty. For dessert our server preordered the crying tiger in advance which was very sweet of her. Initially we had thought the dessert was mainly for the reels but we were wrong! Hard chocolate shell with an incredible banana and caramel cream mixture. Excellent way to end the night. Aiming to be back there soon and try all the others things on our list, as soon as we can get another reservation. ;)
I've been trying to come to this restaurant for forever and was able to get a reservation. We were able to try so many items and all of it was delicious. Probably one of the best meals I've had in a long long time. You really can't go wrong with anything. The famous tiger dessert is very banana forward so if you aren't into that, I wouldn't recommend but I thought it was great. The service was amazing and the bathrooms were also so nice! The inside was very chic.
Crying Tiger absolutely blew me away! Every dish we ordered was packed with flavor and beautifully presented. You can tell they put a lot of thought into both the food and the overall dining experience. The atmosphere was trendy and inviting, and the service was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. The standout for me was the tiger dessert it looked almost too good to eat and tasted just as incredible as it looked. It was the perfect way to end an amazing meal. If you're looking for a unique restaurant with outstanding food, creative cocktails, and a fun atmosphere, Crying Tiger is a must visit. I'll definitely be coming back.
Wanted to treat my friend out for his birthday and so we arrived at Crying Tiger on a Saturday afternoon right when they opened at 3 pm to grab bar seats. The 3 of us were promptly seated and ordered several cocktails to start off the meal. I tried both the betel leaf gin & lemongrass freezer martini and the coconut fat washed white Negroni sbagliato - both drinks were ridiculously good and I was on a martini high for the rest of the night. Freezer martinis are the only way to drink a martini and the one at Crying Tiger is excellent. For food, my party ordered the papaya som tum salad and the prawn toast. Spicy with a slight kick, salty, acidic, flavorful.. The apps were a great start to the rest of the meal. We proceeded to order the wagyu short rib khao soi and ended with a bang with the cumin lamb chops (which I forget to take a photo of). It worked out nicely that there were 3 lamb chops so we each got one. The meat was tender and flavorful; however, $85 for the dish is a quite hefty price and I would have rather tried two other dishes from the menu. Overall, we ordered the perfect amount of food and felt super satisfied. Service was excellent and our bartender surprised us with the homemade sorbet with a bday candle, which was a nice touch and end to the meal. Crying Tiger is a trendy spot and it makes sense why reservations are so hard to come by- totally worth going right at 3 pm to snag bar seats - the food and drinks are excellent.
The interior decoration of the restaurant alone is worth a visit. It's very beautiful inside! The food was pretty good, lots of different options for vegetarians as well. The standouts for me were the veggie spring rolls and the eggplant appetizer. We then decided to try the clay pot lobster pad Thai. I'm not sure I would recommend this one, it lacked in flavor and was on par with a standard pad Thai. Overall, it's a beautiful spot for a night out or date night!
Crying Tiger was a Decent place. Japanese cuisine and very culturally decorated. The aesthetic was amazing as usual for the Japanese culture. Always therapeutic classy and different, I love it! I was seating immediately upon arrival while checking in. Entered through the door ways right off bat you felt the ambient. The dimmed lights the dark decor with the palm trees swarming the establishment. Just a nice scene. Joseph was my sever. He was very professional and made friendly gestures. Great dude! I ordered the lobster pad Thai. Pretty good. Didn't expect the peanuts to do much but to my surprised it added enough crunchiness and a bit of a flavor. Definitely interesting and very easy to get along with. Not much of a peanut fan on entrees but that wasn't too bad. Definitely wouldn't mind or fit without or with peanut both a HIT! Definitely a gem! Lots of traffic in and out and very sufficient! Check em out!
Crying tiger was good but idk if lived up to the hype. fav thing was the rolled rice noodles - they're so crispy and tasted like pad se ew! prawn toast was good but kinda simple. the Wagyu beef stew was really rich and I also didn't like the panaag curry was too peanuty. The black cod I liked but idk if worth the price the fish was a little overcooked but the broth was really good. Pork belly was also good but nothing that special in terms of taste. All in all I wasn't blown away
Was lucky enough to snag a reservation last month to try this restaurant. I was so curious since I've heard of the rave reviews about it. The decor is 10/10 stunning. I especially loved all the greenery, lighting and the beautiful tiger instal in the restroom. Excellent photo op. Service was excellent we came early dinner so it wasn't very packed yet but our waitress came by often and was attentive if we needed anything. Some of my favorites were the prawn toast with fish sauce, the shaking beef which was a very flavor unique mix of textures and flavors while staying true to the cultural roots of the dish. The cod was good if you love tom yum soup. One thing I didn't expect was how on fire my stomach would be after dining here. They said things were not spicy but everything had a kick to it and I eat all sorts of spicy Asian foods. I was blown away at some of the spice levels for our dishes. We brought kids and they stuck to plain white rice... everything was too spicy for them. Overall worth coming but since we usually dine with our children, I wouldn't recommend it for kids unless they really love spicy foods - options will be limited for them. The tiger head dessert was a hit!
A bit expensive but a 10/10! Can't wait to go back with friends and try more because the portions are pretty sizable. I was too full for dessert which made me sad cause I was excited to try the tiger dessert. I'll be back tho! Service was attentive too and the overall ambiance is very aesthetic!
Amazing food, phenomenal service AND old school hip hop playing through the speakers?? YES!!! Came on a Monday night after a very anticipated reservation. We got sat right away. Our server, Tetiana was great. She explained the menu well and gave us great recommendations. We felt like we ordered one of everything on the menu and the food came out very quickly. Some of my favorites were the wagyu beef cheek special and the red curry shrimp and pork dumplings. The curry sauce was delicious. I was eating it with a spoon after the dumplings were gone. The highlight dessert- the crying tiger (their version of a banana foster) not only looked pretty but was delicious. Extra points for the bathroom being cute with great lighting for photos
The hype is so real!!! I had been dying to try Crying Tiger since it opened, and it did not disappoint!! The interior design alone is breathtaking the second you walk in the door, and ambiance is a vibe! I dined out with a group of friends for a special occasion, and our bottle of champagne was brought out with a personalized greeting card! My friends and I shared multiple dishes, and the lobster pad Thai and shaking beef were my favorite! I cannot wait to go back and try more dishes! read more
11 days ago
Was worried it would be overhyped and it wasn't! Only negative was that it is a bit pricy for such small servings. The side of crispy eggplant was actually one of our favorite dishes, but the crying tiger dessert definitely took my #1 spot. A unique take on banana foster. Vibe inside was cool. read more
15 days ago
Set an alarm a month in advance to make this reservation and the effort was WORTH IT! Upon walking in you're immediately greeted with a greenery and a beautiful ambiance that makes you all the more excited to eat some delicious food. If there is anything you MUST get it is the crispy eggplant bành xèo. This was the surprise hit of the night and we ended up ordering one more for the table because we loved it so much! The crispy texture on the outside and soft eggplant in the inside packs unbelievable spices and umami, this was unlike anything I've had before and a dish I still think about. We also got the Vegetable and Shiitake Spring Rolls and Green Papaya Som Tum for apps. My friend had never tried green papaya salad before but left a fan after trying it here! Although none of the entree options are explicitly vegetarian, the staff and kitchen were very accommodating and said that any of the curries could be made vegetarian by substituting tofu. We ended up getting the Panang Curry with Tofu, which was very good but I personally enjoyed the rest of the dishes more in comparison. We of course finished with the famous Crying Tiger dessert, which is worth the hype! The presentation itself is truly so beautiful in person, and cracking the chocolate shell to reveal the yummy bananas foster filling was so satisfying. Overall great spot for a celebration or special occasion, would come back and recommend! read more
I liked it; I didn't love it. Should you try this place? Absolutely. Should you go at a weird time late at night just to make it happen (if you're not a night owl)? No. The hype will eventually die down and it'll be more attainable and less chaotic. We showed up for our 9:30 reservation and weren't seated until 10pm (Lolla weekend). We weren't allowed to get a drink at the bar or get a drink and bring it back to the waiting area. Womp womp. Once seated, Wah took great care of us. She helped answer questions and made sure we always had room on the table for more incoming dishes of food. The space is beautiful. You feel transported into a lush, luxurious jungle of sorts. Apparently people come in just for the basement bathrooms. They're gorgeous, don't get me wrong. Maybe I was too sleepy for midnight selfies? The dishes I'd get again are highlighted here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbrwJHnstQ3/?igsh=amVodmMwMjR3eHYy I will say, I appreciate that the restaurant sent over a comp salad and cheesecake for our table to try and make up for the wait. What's better than free food? A better first impression. I think this kind of thing will get better as it's around longer. I'd love to come back again on a normal day maybe around happy hour. I bet the vibe will be way better/more chill. read more
6 days ago
Waited 20 minutes for a Table for 2 on a Sunday night. The service was smooth and very kind! The interior was very nice and upscale. The food was great!! We got to try the panang curry and lobster pad thai. The pad thai was a bit salty, but good overall. Really enjoyed the curry as it included small potatoes and pineapple in the dish. Great experience and would definitely come back to try the other dishes! read more
A fun, sensory way to celebrate a birthday! Did not have reservations; walked in right at opening time and were able to sit at the bar as a party of 3. Not sure why so many other tables stayed empty, but the bar seating was comfortable regardless. The space feels straight out of the White Lotus. Tropical decor, with rich colors and textures. We tried several cocktails, but the freezer martini was the crowd favorite. Be warned though- it's strong! The prawn toasts are a must try, and the lamb/roti and papaya salad rounded out the meal. Our servers were informative and engaging, and even brought out some sorbet on the house. This is certainly not a cheap meal, but perfect for special occasions, and you will not be disappointed by Chicago's latest Thai restaurant concept. read more
25 days ago
We finally got a reservation at crying tiger and we were so excited! Needless to say, we got there about 15 mins early to take in the ambience and vibes. Got out table on time and dived straight into our meticulously planned order. For entree we had the crispy pork belly and the wagyu short rib Khao Soi. The pork belly was incredible, soft and crunchy at the same time, sitting on an incredible jus for us to soak up all the flavour. The khao soi was as fresh a salad can get with the mint leaves, crispy onions, tender short rib and the fish sauce holding it all together. For mains the Maine lobster pad thai was the star attraction. I felt the lobster itself was incredible but the pad Thai didn't have any oomph factor. A good but not a great dish in my opinion. Also, a tad bit too salty. For dessert our server preordered the crying tiger in advance which was very sweet of her. Initially we had thought the dessert was mainly for the reels but we were wrong! Hard chocolate shell with an incredible banana and caramel cream mixture. Excellent way to end the night. Aiming to be back there soon and try all the others things on our list, as soon as we can get another reservation. ;) read more
I've been trying to come to this restaurant for forever and was able to get a reservation. We were able to try so many items and all of it was delicious. Probably one of the best meals I've had in a long long time. You really can't go wrong with anything. The famous tiger dessert is very banana forward so if you aren't into that, I wouldn't recommend but I thought it was great. The service was amazing and the bathrooms were also so nice! The inside was very chic. read more
Crying Tiger absolutely blew me away! Every dish we ordered was packed with flavor and beautifully presented. You can tell they put a lot of thought into both the food and the overall dining experience. The atmosphere was trendy and inviting, and the service was friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. The standout for me was the tiger dessert it looked almost too good to eat and tasted just as incredible as it looked. It was the perfect way to end an amazing meal. If you're looking for a unique restaurant with outstanding food, creative cocktails, and a fun atmosphere, Crying Tiger is a must visit. I'll definitely be coming back. read more
Wanted to treat my friend out for his birthday and so we arrived at Crying Tiger on a Saturday afternoon right when they opened at 3 pm to grab bar seats. The 3 of us were promptly seated and ordered several cocktails to start off the meal. I tried both the betel leaf gin & lemongrass freezer martini and the coconut fat washed white Negroni sbagliato - both drinks were ridiculously good and I was on a martini high for the rest of the night. Freezer martinis are the only way to drink a martini and the one at Crying Tiger is excellent. For food, my party ordered the papaya som tum salad and the prawn toast. Spicy with a slight kick, salty, acidic, flavorful.. The apps were a great start to the rest of the meal. We proceeded to order the wagyu short rib khao soi and ended with a bang with the cumin lamb chops (which I forget to take a photo of). It worked out nicely that there were 3 lamb chops so we each got one. The meat was tender and flavorful; however, $85 for the dish is a quite hefty price and I would have rather tried two other dishes from the menu. Overall, we ordered the perfect amount of food and felt super satisfied. Service was excellent and our bartender surprised us with the homemade sorbet with a bday candle, which was a nice touch and end to the meal. Crying Tiger is a trendy spot and it makes sense why reservations are so hard to come by- totally worth going right at 3 pm to snag bar seats - the food and drinks are excellent. read more
10 days ago
The interior decoration of the restaurant alone is worth a visit. It's very beautiful inside! The food was pretty good, lots of different options for vegetarians as well. The standouts for me were the veggie spring rolls and the eggplant appetizer. We then decided to try the clay pot lobster pad Thai. I'm not sure I would recommend this one, it lacked in flavor and was on par with a standard pad Thai. Overall, it's a beautiful spot for a night out or date night! read more
Crying Tiger was a Decent place. Japanese cuisine and very culturally decorated. The aesthetic was amazing as usual for the Japanese culture. Always therapeutic classy and different, I love it! I was seating immediately upon arrival while checking in. Entered through the door ways right off bat you felt the ambient. The dimmed lights the dark decor with the palm trees swarming the establishment. Just a nice scene. Joseph was my sever. He was very professional and made friendly gestures. Great dude! I ordered the lobster pad Thai. Pretty good. Didn't expect the peanuts to do much but to my surprised it added enough crunchiness and a bit of a flavor. Definitely interesting and very easy to get along with. Not much of a peanut fan on entrees but that wasn't too bad. Definitely wouldn't mind or fit without or with peanut both a HIT! Definitely a gem! Lots of traffic in and out and very sufficient! Check em out! read more
Crying tiger was good but idk if lived up to the hype. fav thing was the rolled rice noodles - they're so crispy and tasted like pad se ew! prawn toast was good but kinda simple. the Wagyu beef stew was really rich and I also didn't like the panaag curry was too peanuty. The black cod I liked but idk if worth the price the fish was a little overcooked but the broth was really good. Pork belly was also good but nothing that special in terms of taste. All in all I wasn't blown away read more
Was lucky enough to snag a reservation last month to try this restaurant. I was so curious since I've heard of the rave reviews about it. The decor is 10/10 stunning. I especially loved all the greenery, lighting and the beautiful tiger instal in the restroom. Excellent photo op. Service was excellent we came early dinner so it wasn't very packed yet but our waitress came by often and was attentive if we needed anything. Some of my favorites were the prawn toast with fish sauce, the shaking beef which was a very flavor unique mix of textures and flavors while staying true to the cultural roots of the dish. The cod was good if you love tom yum soup. One thing I didn't expect was how on fire my stomach would be after dining here. They said things were not spicy but everything had a kick to it and I eat all sorts of spicy Asian foods. I was blown away at some of the spice levels for our dishes. We brought kids and they stuck to plain white rice... everything was too spicy for them. Overall worth coming but since we usually dine with our children, I wouldn't recommend it for kids unless they really love spicy foods - options will be limited for them. The tiger head dessert was a hit! read more
A bit expensive but a 10/10! Can't wait to go back with friends and try more because the portions are pretty sizable. I was too full for dessert which made me sad cause I was excited to try the tiger dessert. I'll be back tho! Service was attentive too and the overall ambiance is very aesthetic! read more
18 days ago
Amazing food, phenomenal service AND old school hip hop playing through the speakers?? YES!!! Came on a Monday night after a very anticipated reservation. We got sat right away. Our server, Tetiana was great. She explained the menu well and gave us great recommendations. We felt like we ordered one of everything on the menu and the food came out very quickly. Some of my favorites were the wagyu beef cheek special and the red curry shrimp and pork dumplings. The curry sauce was delicious. I was eating it with a spoon after the dumplings were gone. The highlight dessert- the crying tiger (their version of a banana foster) not only looked pretty but was delicious. Extra points for the bathroom being cute with great lighting for photos read more
2 months ago
Getting a reservation can be tough, but my cousin and I decided to try our luck as walk-ins. As expected, there weren't any tables available, so we opted to wait for seats at the bar. We were quoted a 40-minute wait, but we ended up being seated much sooner. The service at the bar was exceptional--friendly, attentive, and welcoming throughout the evening. We started with drinks: I ordered the Haku vodka Salty Dog with grapefruit and kumquat over shaved ice with a salt-and-spice rim, while my cousin chose the nonalcoholic pickled plum soda with calamansi, cane sugar, and fresh melon juice. Both were incredibly refreshing. For appetizers, we shared the prawn toast, which was packed with flavor. The 45-day dry-aged ribeye was cooked perfectly, and the Wagyu Short Rib Khao Soi with crispy noodles was equally delicious and comforting. To end the night, we ordered the "Crying Tiger" dessert featuring wild Thai banana and Foster sauce--a true work of art and the perfect sweet finish to our meal. The restaurant itself is beautiful, and even though we were seated at the bar, it was still a fantastic dining experience. And don't leave without checking out the artwork in the restrooms--it's a fun touch that adds to the overall ambiance. read more
Looking for some bold Thai flavors to enjoy in a vibrant and super chic venue while sipping on fruity cocktails and relaxing to some downtempo tunes? Here's your spot!!! Highly recommend making reservations if you are a party greater than 2 and if coming after 6 pm as this place gets packed. Limited bar seating available. We knew this place would be a luck of the draw to be seared but took our shot any way and to our surprise was able to score a bar seating. Food was pretty good 4.5/5. But the vibe was even more interesting. We tried a couple of small plates and shared a curry which was pretty filling. Was planning to try their famous tiger dessert but just couldn't fit anything more. Will leave for the next time... Hamachi Crudo: fresh yellowtail sashimi bites seasoned with a lime based citrus juice and garnished with fresh cilantro, mint, basil, and pepper. Very good and recommend Grilled Wagyu Beef Nam Tok: grilled beef salad richly marinated with very bold Nam Tok dressing (Lime sauce), fresh herbs (cilantro, basil, mint), red onions and Thai chili. Very good. Grilled Prawn & Chinese Eggplant Green Curry: had to add a warm dish...and why wouldnt you try a curry dish at a Thai restaurant. Phenomenal btw. Grilled prawns were Smokey and juicy. Eggplants were a perfect compliment. All in a coconut green curry infused with basil. What more can you ask for? Excellent dishes all around. Coming back for more very soon read more
So many flavors here! We really enjoyed all the dishes. Some stand-outs: * Crispy fried rice salad * Prawn toast youtiao * Crispy pork belly with garlic herb nuoc cham * Black cod in charred scallion tom yum broth * Lobster pad Thai with tamarind and peanuts * Crying tiger dessert * Kefir lime sorbet Good, but as you expect: * Hamachi crudo with bird's eye chili * Shaking beef with crispy cottage fries * Pork and shrimp dumplings * Coconut ice cream For drinks, be sure to ask for less ice. I ordered the salted plum soda and the entire glass was full of ice. I took two sips and the soda was gone...with lots of ice cubes left. It's important to get a reservation 30 days before at midnight Central Standard Time. Otherwise, walk-ins are a two-hour wait. There seems to be more 2-person and 4-person tables than larger tables. read more
We enjoyed our dinner here. The food was very good but not sure it's at the level of all of the hype surrounding this place. The appetizers were particularly creative and delicious. The tuna tartare was presented beautifully and was quite refreshing. The crispy pork belly lived up to its name -- very crispy skin and tasty. For the mains, we shared the clay pot lobster pad thai, which included a great deal of lobster, and the wagyu short rib khao soi. The short rib was tender and abundant. Service was friendly and down-to-earth, but the hostess was a bit on the pretentious and snotty side. The decor is beautiful and the bathroom is especially spectacular. read more
3 days ago
Crying Tiger is absolutely worth the hype! The atmosphere is vibrant, the food is amazing, and the drinks were so much fun. Our waitress, Diana, was outstanding and made the experience even more enjoyable. We couldn't have had a better experience! read more
My favorite modern Asian restaurant in Chicago! The dishes are delicious and thoughtfully blend modern fusion with traditional flavors. The space is also beautifully decorated and such a great vibe. My favorite repeat orders: - Green Curry (the prawns are big and juicy) - just so good and comforting. A must try. - Rolled Rice noodles - Grilled Wagyu Beef as appetizer- light, satisfying and refreshing read more
Visiting Chicago for a few days and everyone said this was a must try restaurant so my gf and I went to check it out. Food 5/5! food was delicious. My favorite was the chili crisp chicken with some roti bread. The chicken was so juicy! Must try! I also tried the prawn toast 5/5, crispy pork belly 5/5. hamachi crudo, I'd pass on that if I went back. Not bad, but just not worth getting again. And I tried the lobster pad Thai I'd give 4/5. Ambiance 5/5! Very nice trendy vibes. Definitely try to get a reservation otherwise you'll have to wait a while! Service 2/5 This is where I was very dissatisfied. They brought the appetizers out almost instantly. Then nobody came to check on us, or even bring us water for almost 40 min. I had to tell the hostess the entrees haven't come out and nobody has given us a time frame or even check on us in 40 min and finally someone came to say food is almost out. All in all, I'd go back for that crispy chili chicken, pork belly and prawn toast. Despite service being very subpar. read more
My boyfriend and I are visiting Chicago for his birthday and we've had our eye on this place because so many people have told us this place was amazing-- and it almost lived up to the hype. Almost. First off, get a reservation if you can!! Even if it's a late one. I was lucky enough that one available time slot opened up just 20 mins prior and we were able to make it in time. When we got there, there were so many people waiting without reservations so I'm sure you can expect a wait without one. Now for the food: for appetizers we ordered the crispy pork belly, hamachi crudo, and the prawn toast. I will say they absolutely NAILED the apps. 10/10, no notes. And they came out incredibly fast. We ordered the lobster pad thai, chili crisp chicken and the khao soi curry for entrees. They were all good, but I thought they all lacked acid to cut through the richness of each dish. A lime squeeze would have done each dish good. However, main issue was the service. After the apps came out quickly, we waited about 40-45 minutes for the entrees to come out. During the 45 minutes, no one checked on us or stopped by to fill our waters until we flagged someone down at around 30 mins of waiting. Yes, it was busy in there but I think to wait 30+ minutes for food without a server coming to check on us left a bit of a bad taste for us. Overall the food was great, but the service was underwhelming. To end on a positive note, the vibes and decor of the restaurant are beautiful. They definitely enhanced our dining experience at Crying Tiger! read more
3 months ago
My friend really wanted to visit Crying Tiger while we were on vacation in Chicago. The most annoying part is trying to get a reservation. Since we couldn't get one, we tried our luck just getting bar seats. You have to be extremely aggressive and stand behind people as they're leaving. The food was pretty good. I ordered a thai tea and it was delicious. Probably the best I've ever had at a restaurant. Prawan toast was our appetizer and it was made of shrimp nestled in yu tao. Good, but I could skip it for the main dishes. We ordered the duck curry(spicy) and the lobster pad thai. The pad thai was a bit pricey but I really enjoyed it. The duck curry is deceiving since they mix potatoes with the duck and you don't get as much meat as you'd hope However, the flavor was creamy but spicy. Of course we had to end with they Crying Tiger dessert which has beautiful presentation - jade like and the banana cake inside was tasty. The decor of the restaurant is really neat down to the tiger mural in the bathroom. Service at the bat was very attentive. A bit pricey for what you get, but a fun experience overall. read more
30 days ago
This was a great fusion of Southeast Asian cuisine. Getting a table was really the only downside. Reservations were tough even weeks out, so we ended up putting our name down and waiting about two hours. The space is beautiful and thoughtfully designed, and the portions are generous enough to share. Overall, it was a great experience. I'm glad I tried it once, but I probably won't go through the reservation or wait process again. read more
I was lucky enough to snag an easy Sunday night reservation at Crying Tiger! My husband and I have been excited to try this place, but it's not easy to get a table on the weekend. The restaurant itself is beautiful and super detailed. Everything from the ceiling to the uniforms was considered. We started with the very popular prawn toast, which did not disappoint and is definitely more of a stuffed fried roll than any kind of toast. To drink, I had a milk punch which was full of Thai tea flavor and my husband had a colada. For our entrees we opted to share the rolled noodles and the duck curry--both were unique and flavorful. The rolled noodles were sweet and crispy, which was unexpected. The curry was just a tiny bit spicy and complemented the beautifully tender duck. We did try the Crying Tiger signature dessert and it completely stole the show. One of the best restaurant desserts I've ever had. A can't miss! read more
1 month ago
Crying Tiger is a beautiful addition to Chicago's dining scene, with stunning decor and a striking tiger centerpiece that immediately catches your eye. My friend and I visited while catching up after she moved away, and we were excited to try a new restaurant together. The staff was excellent throughout the meal. They were very knowledgeable, helped us navigate the menu, and took the time to explain each dish as it arrived, which made the experience feel even more special. We started with the Prawn Toast, Grilled Wagyu Beef, and Tuna Tartare. The Prawn Toast was easily our favorite appetizer of the night. The Wagyu Beef and Tuna Tartare were both well prepared and packed with flavor, although the mint served with the beef and the coconut flavors in the tuna tartare weren't my personal preference. For our entrées, we shared the Branzino and the Short Rib Curry. The Branzino was the standout dish of the evening and our clear favorite. The Short Rib Curry was good as well, but by that point we were getting pretty full. I also appreciated that the dishes are designed to be shared, making it a great spot for groups or a relaxed dinner with friends. My only complaint is the waiting area. It's quite small and can make it difficult to get to the hostess stand when the restaurant is busy. Overall, Crying Tiger offers delicious food, attentive service, and a beautiful atmosphere. I'd definitely return, especially for the Prawn Toast and Branzino. read more
3 months ago
Crying Tiger was everything I hoped it would be! I love the warm decorations inside. The place is huge, but since it's so popular, you need a reservation and when I was looking, they were booking out a month in advance. The place is super vibey and cool. It's definitely worth checking out if you can snag seats! At first glance, it seems they don't have a ton of options for vegetarians. However, if you don't mind fish sauce, then the curries can be made vegetarian by substituting for tofu (or the panang curry has no fish sauce). My favorite dish was probably the crispy rice. YUM! So many fresh herbs and had a nice sauce. I loved the green papaya salad as well. The tuna tartare was so tender and paired well with the chips and young coconut. Their drinks were also very very good. We tried the milk punch and the colada. The milk punch surprised me! It was so well blended and the tea flavor came through well. We were too full for dessert but they had a lot of great options. Next time! read more
Diana was fantastic and super knowledgeable about the menu and made the whole experience feel welcoming from start to finish. The ambiance was intimate and cozy, and bonus points for having elevators available for the bathrooms. We started with the chargrilled sugarcane beef bò lá lốt wrapped in betel leaves and cabbage, along with the shredded chicken gỏi gà salad with ginger nước chấm. The salad had a nice kick to it that I absolutely loved; surprisingly flavorful and refreshing for a salad. For the entrée, I had the duck panang curry, and honestly, it was perfect in every possible way. I don't order duck often, but this was easily one of the best duck dishes I've ever had. Rich, balanced, and incredibly tender. To finish, we got the dessert everyone talks about at Crying Tiger, and now I get the hype. The sauce tasted like a deconstructed banana chocolate chip bread in the best way possible. Light, melt-in-your-mouth, and the perfect ending to the meal. The drinks were great too, whether you're going for cocktails or mocktails. Would absolutely come back again. read more
Food was delicious. Thai food is one of my favorites and the prawn toast was a highlight. Waygu was also yummy and nothing was too spicy (in a good way). Drinks were also great Thai tea and the coconut drink were amazing. Honestly the presentation is what earned this rating. Food was played amazing and drinks were served in a fun way. The crying tiger Dessert was so fun to crack open and very instagramable. Service was impeccable. Hosts and servers were both very nice. Table was constantly checked and cleaned. Everyone was very nice and friendly. Decorations were cute and very good mood lighting. Perfect date night spot. Bathrooms are clean. read more
1 month ago
1 month ago
I honestly didn't get the hype. The space is beautiful with a great atmosphere, but the food felt pretty average to me (I wanna say my favorite dish with the cumin lamb). Especially compared to other more authentic Thai spots in the area. The lobster pad Thai in specific wasn't worth forty five dollars. It felt like you could spend half as much elsewhere, get better food, drinks included, and still come out ahead. I was also surprised that reservations always look booked on OpenTable, but when we went on a Saturday night, about a quarter of the restaurant was empty. If you're looking for a beautiful spot for the vibe, maybe it's worth a try. But if you want authentic, flavorful Thai food, I'd personally try somewhere else. read more
We finally got a reservation and was super excited to come but the food was alright. Being Asian, the pad Thai was missing flavor. The glass noodles was good but only had vegetables in them. I would say the ambiance was amazing and service was great. I got the jasmine iced tea and it was good but if you're not used to pandan flavors like my friends it would be an adventure to taste it. Overall really loved their prawn toast and the sauce that came with it. Wasn't too spicy. I would say the dishes lacked some spices and flavors. Pad Thai was really bland, we loved the lobster. The star was the crying tiger dessert which was wild Thai banana and it was good. Loved the chocolate and mousse cake under it. read more
1 month ago
What a great addition to the food scene in Chicago- excellent service, great ambiance and delicious food. Went on a Tuesday night (10 pm reservation) and boy was I surprised- restaurant was full, lots of energy in the room and the staff was busy (but still attentive) with all the patrons. Highlight of my meal were the prawns and the lobster pad Thai- full of flavor and great portions. I also enjoyed the Tiger Dessert, it was unique (beautiful) and I enjoyed the flavors of banana, caramel and chocolate which captured southeast Asian dessert well. The actual restaurant had nice decor, clean and stylish bathrooms and while pack, it wasn't noisy and I could have a nice dinner with my husband. read more
2 months ago
This was easily one of the hardest reservations I've ever gotten. We booked exactly 30 days in advance. The restaurant also offers a walk in waitlist, but it seemed to depend entirely on cancellations. There wasn't an estimated wait time or any guarantee of getting a table. The staff were very strict on reservation time and having the entire party present. The restaurant is beautifully designed with a great ambiance. I loved the warm, dim lighting along with the gold accents and decor. The menu is well organized with cold dishes, warm dishes, rice and noodles, curries, and entrées. The dishes stay true to traditional flavors while adding a refined, modern touch. We ordered: * Salted mango limeade with preserved citrus served over shaved ice: 10/10 Such a fun and refreshing drink. The flavor changes as the ice melts, making every sip a little different. * Prawn toast: 8/10. The toast was crispy and well made, but the herb nam jim sauce is what really made the dish. It added so much freshness and flavor. * Wagyu short rib khao soi with crispy noodles: 9/10. Khao soi has become one of my favorite Thai dishes, and this version did not disappoint. The flavors and textures were balanced perfectly and rich without feeling too heavy. * Clay Pot Lobster Pad Thai: 9/10. A classic pad Thai with well balanced flavors and generous pieces of lobster throughout. * Crispy eggplant banh xeo: 10/10. This ended up being my favorite dish of the meal, which was unexpected because it's a side. The combination of flavors and textures was unique, and every bite was incredible. Still thinking about this one!! * Crying Tiger dessert: 10/10. This dessert was memorable for the presentation, the experience, and the flavor. I've never had anything quite like it. The banana with the caramel sauce was absolutely spectacular. I'm not sure I'd go back, but I'm so glad I had the chance to try it. A lot of upscale Asian restaurants lose the traditional flavors when they try to elevate or add a fusion twist to their dishes, but Crying Tiger strikes that balance really well. It feels refined while still staying true to its roots! read more
I came to the crying tiger to celebrate my 23rd birthday and it was spectacular ! From the service to the food and ambiance everything was amazing ! We ended up having two servers as one ended their shift and they both were enthusiastic, knowledgeable and accommodating! They made this visit memorable and we will be back to try their speak easy ! If you have food allergies let your server know and they will make sure you are taken care of ! Food review Prawn toast 1000/10 - crispy on the outside, soft and juicy on the inside and the sauce brought even more spice and flavor Special app crispy chicken 10/10 - very crispy and juicy Drink Coconut mocktail 100/10 - it was so sweet and went down so smoothly, this is one of my favorite drinks now for life !! The flavors and sweetness levels pair perfectly! Glass noodles 9/10 - they weren't my favorite but everyone at my table was obsessed! The flavor was good but I think after trying the rolled noodle it was a bit salty, but it was still very good! Rolled noodle 10/10 - We got the mushrooms on the side and although this dish came without meat you did NOT miss it! It was perfect and the sweetness level didn't over power the dish! It was perfectly crispy and chewy and I would come back for this ! Cumin lamb 10/10 - if you love lamb you'll love this dish and even if you don't you'll still want some! It was delicious and savory with a bit of a kick Wagyu short rib curry 10/10 - wow the short ribs were so juicy and flavorful I'm still in shock. They took into account the noodles softening over time and topped it with crispy noodles that gradually softened under the curry broth into a ramen texture . I know sometimes when beef is cooked in broth it can get dried out but this was bursting with flavor soft and delicious ! Desserts Crying tiger10/10 - this dish wash delicious from the chocolate coating to the foster sauce combining it all was so amazing ! Lime sorbet 6/10 The lime sorbet paired with all the desserts tasted very strange. The combination of the limes tartness and the vanilla-sweetness from the other desserts we ordered did not pair at all! Bahn flan cheese cake 9/10 Very good just a bit salty ! I don't like cheese cake but I would eat this again ! It was so good and hand in hand with the signature tiger dessert with flavor The crying tiger is THE 2026 restaurant you want to experience if you have not go book now! read more
This was our first time at Crying Tiger and wow when they say reservation go fast they do in a blink of an eye. You absolutely need one to dine here on a Saturday. We came for our anniversary and ordered 4-5 dishes as recommended by our server. Out of all the dishes which I list in the images, our favorite had to be the rolled noodles. Extremely flavor packed and crispy on the outside which chewy on the inside. As we ate we did notice a lot of the dishes were pretty salty as it was a flavor bomb bite after bite which did give us a little palette fatigue. Pork belly was an honorable mention. I wished there was some rice or something accompanying all these dishes. Overall the dishes weren't bad and portions weren't that bad either they did raise the prices on everything about $4-5. This was a cool place really beautiful inside but definitely a place to try once or twice and not a go to spot in my opinion. Also I wanted to talk about our server he was super nice and friendly but had some comments that were a little off putting. One that I want to mention was after me and my boyfriend ate the amount of dishes he recommended, he said "dang yall must be hungryyyy". I've work in the food service and I would never ever say that to anybody. That really threw me for a loop and would make small talk but we are not very talkative people. When he heard it was our anniversary as I asked about any desserts, he asked us what we loved the most about each other which made me overly embarrassed and blank in the moment. Nothing personal with him I can tell he is just a talkative person just not my cup of tea to talk that much while eating and that one comment which I did not like. read more
It turns out the first, second, AND third times are a charm at Crying Tiger! Was lucky to snag another table recently and it was every bit as good as I remember. This time, we started with the chicken satay, which was perfectly grilled and among the most tender I've ever had. I could drink the spicy peanut sauce! For mains, we split the prawn green curry, rolled rice noodles, and the barbecue chicken. No notes on the chicken aside from that it's absolutely delicious and a must order. The roti dipped in leftover crispy chili oil was perfection. The green curry was good but not revolutionary. However, the rolled rice noodles might have been my favorite dish that I've had here! The outside was super crispy with an extra soft, chewy interior. Truly exceptional- do not skip this! Great experience all around once again, and I'm already looking forward to next time! read more
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More info about Crying Tiger
Ask the Community - Crying Tiger
Can reservation be sat earlier?
I arrived a little early and still had to wait 10-15 minutes after my reservation time to get sat. The whole entry area was filled with people waiting for their reservations.
Does the whole party need to be present before you will be seated?
No. I had a party of two and they sat me before my friend arrived
Do they take walk ins?
Yes; however, getting a table depends on whether any reservations are cancelled. The bar is first come first serve.
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Crying Tiger - thai - Updated August 2026
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