Went here to celebrate a friend's birthday. The food was so good! Our server Laura was very sweet and attentive. I had the J'adore 75 cocktail which had vodka, Prosecco, lychee and hibiscus served as a martini. I was nervous it would be too sweet but it was perfect. I ordered the sheet roasted cauliflower for an appetizer and had the vindaloo curry with braised lamb and asked they make it spicy. Usually when I've gone to Indian restaurants they don't make it spicy enough but Kama made it spicy! My friend had the paneer tika masala that she said was really good. Each entree came with a side of basmati rice. We also ordered garlic naan for the table that was very tasty. We went to Kama on a Saturday night so it was busy but our food came out quick. Laura surprised us with a birthday dessert for the table that was a kulfi dou ice cream that was flavored pistachio and had a blueberry chutney. I've never had that kind of ice cream before it was very unique. They also brought out lit up candles so we were able to sing Happy Birthday. This was the best Indian restaurant I've been to and I can't wait to go back! read more

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Kama has probably the best HH drinks and food in the city. Their cocktail program is phenomenal and at $10 from M-Th 4-5, F 3-5, it's a great deal too! I tried the Pisco and Smoked Berries, both are very tasty and fruit forward, well balanced You can mix and match tacos so got to try the lamb and beef. The beet salad is delicious and the chicken tadka with the lemon cream sauce, delicious. I've had their mussels before and enjoyed those as well. read more

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Visited during Restaurant Week and will definitely be back next year! The interior is beautiful and has a great atmosphere. Note on Halal options: Only the lamb was halal during my visit. The chicken is not, and I wasn't sure about the beef. The Food: Spicy Potatoes: Yummy! That chili sauce is amazing. Gol Gappe: A great classic, though the sauce is a little on the sweet side. Butter Chicken Paneer: So good! I would order this again. Lamb Chops: Absolutely amazing. The meat is tender and flavorful Kulfi: This dessert is BEAUTIFUL and a must-try. Coconut Kheer: Not my favorite, but still a solid dish. read more

We ordered happy hour food and drinks followed by regular menu dessert 1. Goan Mussels - fresh PEI mussels in tamarind, coconut-flavored broth 2. Curried Lamb Tacos - braised lamb, pico de gallo, crumbled paneer 3. Barbacoa Tacos - coconut milk, lemon juice, garam masala, chimichuri 4. Smokin Berries - mezcal & tecuila, averna, blackberry chutney, ancho reyes, black pepper berry shrub 5. Goan Sour - orange black tea infused whiskey, honey cumin, kokum sour, coconut foam 6. (regular menu)Kama Chai Spiced Bread Pudding - coffee toffee sauce, chocolate chips, candied pecans, kama blueberry chutney, vanilla ice cream Goan Mussels are must get if you like mussels and the sauce is great to dip the garlic naan in. Tacos are both flavorful and tender; whichever is better is more subjective. Cocktails were solid. I recommend the bread pudding if you have room for dessert. One of the best happy hour menu for the prices and options. Waitress was friendly and helpful. Plenty of seating for small to large groups. read more

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I loved the atmosphere and vibe here! The music and service were on point. It is a very busy restaurant so there is timed seating but we did not feel rushed at all and the staff was super kind. If you are new to South Asian food or don't have it very often and want to try out some fusion dishes, this is the spot! They have so many amazing options to choose from and all of them were delicious. The restaurant week menu definitely did not disappoint. I would definitely come back with a group of friends if they wanted South Asian fusion! read more

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I went to Kama for restaurant week, and it was definitely a new experience of flavors! We got the goan mussels and the puri; I really enjoyed the goan mussels since they were cooked perfectly and paired so well with the curry. I would recommend getting the garlic naan with them. The puri was our first time ever having, and I liked the crunch paired with the sweet and savory sauces. For our entrees, we got the chicken tikka masala and shrimp curry; the chicken tikka masala was good but nothing really special, and I didn't like the idea of only getting three shrimp with our other dish. The desserts we got were galab jamun and pudding; I really liked the pudding since it was sweet with a bit of texture, but I wasn't a big fan of the galab jamun due to the bourbon taste. The service was very friendly and quick; we sat at the bar since it was very packed there. We also ordered a mango lassi, and it was very delicious but more on the thicker side. The ambiance gave an elevated look to an Indian restaurant and felt more on the fancy side. I like how it's in Wicker, so there's a lot to do or walk around to after. read more

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I was looking forward to trying Kama's food. My Aunt recommended me try them out. I called to place a food order. I ordered a few dishes and they quoted me the price but it didn't sound right. I told them the prices I found online and the person who took my order said their prices on their menu in the restaurant are different for some reason. I then spoke to the manager. The manager was incredibly rude and condescending. He kept telling me literally you're wrong and those are not our prices. He asked where I saw the prices and said specifically on the Wicker Park website. He spoke to me as if I was lying and was not pleasant to speak with. He was very accusatory and even when I met him in person I showed him the prices online on my phone he said the website needs to be updated....he didn't apologize whatsoever. He charged me the online prices but the interaction left a bad taste in my mouth. I left my contact info with the manager saying he'd follow up with me. 2 months have passed and he never cared to close the loop. When I got home to try the food the dishes were alright but the portion sizes were extremely small. With the two meat dishes we ordered we got only 1 rice instead of what I would have thought would be 2 since we got two entrees. Overall, I would not visit this restaurant again. read more

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I would like to begin with the fact that I am only giving this place a four star because of the general manager who was a bit odd. He started with a good server, but the manager stepped in, may be due to volume in lack of personnel. He did not come off as friendly, he was out at times when delivering food and was not confident in himself and the questions that we asked over all the experience with him, the manager was not a good one, and we definitely questioned how he was in charge of this place In terms of the food, the Samosa came out hot and crispy, and the seasonings and spice in the potato mixture reminded me of food back home in India. The lamb curry tacos were one of the best items of the night. There was a soft tortilla filled with tender meat mixture with gravy as well as a nice pico de gallo and Parmesan cheese on top. For the main course, garlic naan was phenomenal, fluffy, and airy all throughout. The lamb dish had a great sweet-and-sour component, and the meat was very tender. The chicken tikka masala was a nice tomato sauce paste mix mixed well with a heat component and the meat was very tender. The ravioli was good, but I think the noodles were cooked a bit too much so everything was falling apart so my only recommendation there would be to keep the pasta al dente. I ordered a zero proof mocktail which was tart and sweet and had a nice foam layer on top called the black lotus. Overall great experience, the only recommendation would be to improve the quality of the general manager in his communication, friendliness, and attitude read more

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Stopped in for the restaurant week menu this past Wednesday - $45 3 course dinner. Had a reservation and was seated promptly. Space is fairly small and was busy and a bit loud as a result but overall pretty space and good atmosphere. We got the crispy chili potatoes, pani puri, lamb chop masala, chicken tikka masala, kulfi and bourbon gulab jamun. Appetizers are both good - potatoes were spicy but not overwhelming and the mango chutney salsa with the pani puri was very good. Both entrees were large and the sauces were flavorful. The bourbon gulab jamun was sweet and had a strong orange flavor; texture was good not too mushy. The kulfi was a bit too hard and frozen but overall still ok! read more

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Lovely dinner experience at Kama! Between the excellent and innovative food, friendly staff, and classy yet approachable atmosphere, Kama may be my new favorite restaurant in Chicago! We were able to snag a couple of seats at the bar for dinner on a Saturday, but I would recommend making a reservation if you plan to visit during peak hours. I started with the Smokin' Berries cocktail and loved the sweet yet smoky flavor. It even came with a rosemary spring lit on fire for a special effect. For entrees, we ordered the chicken tikka masala and paneer ravioli. The tikka masala had an outstanding depth of flavor that really set it apart from the pack, and the rice was also perfectly fluffy and sticky. The paneer ravioli stole the show for me, however. The paneer had a delicate flavor that still shined through the rich butter-vodka sauce. This dish was very unique and a must-order! To end the meal, the staff very kindly brought out a complimentary birthday treat, which was a cardamom and mango kulfi with blueberry compote topped with sparklers! All-in-all, this was one of the best meals I've had recently. If you haven't paid Kama a visit yet, run- don't walk! read more

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Kama has been on my list for a while and it was an amazing experience. From the service, to the food, to the drinks and the ambiance, everything was basically perfect. For an appetizer, we had the crispy chili potatoes which were exactly as described. We got mild heat and it had a good kick, but not too much. I had the paneer ravioli with chicken added (+$10) and it was delicious. I asked for spicy and it was very flavorful and packed with heat. I got their version of an espresso martini and it was good & the menu mentioned chai, but the chai flavor was pretty faint; still great though. They also brought out a birthday dessert which we all enjoyed as well. I can't wait to go back. Definitely make a reservation! read more

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We made a reservation online, but we honestly didn't need one since it wasn't packed around 8:30pm. Our waiter was great and provided his personal recommendations. Since it's dry January, I got the Berry Burlesque mocktail and it was very sweet and tasted like a blueberry. We got the Chicken Lemon Tadka as an appetizer and the sauce was creamy and lemony and very good. For my entree, I got the paneer ravioli and I really loved the fusion! The sauce was very good and a little spicy. Since it is so saucy, definitely recommend getting some naan with the paneer ravioli! We got the garlic naan and it was great. The restaurant was clean and had a very chill vibe. Would love to come back! read more

Kama - Wicker Park - Berry Burlesque - Indian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Solid spot for Indian food in the city! We tried the paneer ravioli, malai kofta, and dal makhini. They have a good amount of vegetarian options and the portion sizes are decent! The paneer ravioli was our favorite. The malsi kofta gravy was good but a little more "tomato-y." The dal makhini was decent but have had better. They also have wine and cocktail flights which I thought were fun and would definitely come back for! Overall cute ambience, good service, and solid food. read more

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Beautiful, cozy, airy restaurant! I love the decor and the large open windows in the front. Came for happy hour on my birthday and the happy hour prices and offerings were great! We tried the curried lamb tacos, mussels, garlic naan and the chili potatoes. I can't remember the names of our drinks but they were well crafted! I highly recommend their happy hour. The main entree's sound delicious as well. They'll see me again! One star off because the service could be better. Our server was gone a little too long in between taking our order, checking how the food tasted and bringing the bill. We found ourselves looking around for him. read more

Super yummy Indian! We went during the restaurant week deals and had chili potatoes, samosas, chicken tikka masala, and more. Truly a great dining experience with excellent service! read more

Was craving Indian and this hit the spot! There were honestly too many tasty options to choose from, and I'm pescatarian so that's not usually a problem. I think I may have thrown off our server with my, l "What's your prettiest cocktail?!?" demands but we forged ahead and sampled as much as our stomachs could handle. Would eat here again. Low lighting made for a nice date night spot. read more

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A new restaurant located in Wicker Park serving creative Indian dishes. I went there for dinner because La Bouchon's new menu really disappointed me. It, however, turned out to be a surprise. The restaurant was nicely decored. The service was not slow and the server was able to answer my questions about different curries in detail. Ordered the Beet Salad and the Achari curry with braised lamb. Both dishes were good. The salad was served with blueberry vinaigrette which had a distinct, fruity sourness. Paired well with the sweet-sour pickled beets and the soft goat cheese spread. I never had Achari curry before. The server told me that it was a blend of 16 spices plus some pickled veggie. The curry had a unique aromatic smell and tasted a little bit sour. Its thickness was between tikki masala and saag, which paired well with the rice and naan. The lamb inside was tender. The only thing I might want to complain: the bread I had was more similar to whole wheat roti than plain, wheat naan (? Anyway I would like to try more of their interesting dishes next time I visit Chicago! read more

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I went as a solo diner but wish I had brought friends--there were so many things I wanted to try! The samosas were spiced and tasty enough to enjoy even without chutney, and NOT at all oily, with the dough tasty enough that I ate all the way to the corners. Short rib was a giant portion and DELICIOUS--that tamarind sauce was fantastic--but I think I would have wanted more mashed potatoes! Kulfi was just what I wanted, very pistachio and a perfect texture blend, but also a sharing portion for sure. Service was very attentive without being overbearing, and the space is very nice! I will be back for the curries or maybe the lamb tacos! read more

Kama - Wicker Park - Short rib with tamarind glaze and mashed potatoes - Indian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Everything went well!! The restaurant has beautiful decor. The menu is unique and fun spin to the usual Indian food. The food is delicious from the appetizers to the entrees and even the mocktail was excellent. Our server was wonderful despite them being very busy! We will be returning!! read more

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This is a more upscale Indian restaurant. The food was tasty, the waitress was friendly, and the ambiance was vibey. read more

Kama - Wicker Park - Indian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Came here for restaurant week because the menu looked interesting and it got good reviews. They seated us right away, but service was extremely slow throughout the dinner. I felt bad because there was only one server for a full restaurant, so either the manager didn't prepare or they had a call-off. The appetizer was paneer with a lemon cream sauce. It was good, but the cheese was a little firmer than usual and the sauce a bit too acidic. The potatoes were also decent, but the sauce tasted like it had a ketchup base. However, it worked well with whatever other seasoning they added. The chicken tikka masala was flavorful but also a little sweeter than I'm used to. The lamb was cooked perfectly and the sauce was savory and rich. For dessert, we had bourbon orange donuts and something that resembled arroz con leche. Both had a nice flavor and the right amount of sweetness. The restaurant is on the smaller side, and it was very loud. Tables are also pretty close to each other, so you have to not mind hearing the people next to you. read more

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Went here with some friends and this place gets a five star from me simply because of the cocktails! Like WOW! We all get different things and were blown away by all of them. The flavors go so well together and you can tell they're well made! As far as the food, it is very contemporary Indian so they have some interesting things on the menu. The lamb tacos were probably my favorite thing we tried. Everything was made well if you're interested in more of a modern Indian twist. I wouldn't say it's necessarily where my go to for Indian food would be. The service was great and so friendly! It was pretty easy to get a reservation which was great. It's a fun place to go with friends or family! I will certainly be returning for those cocktails! read more

I think that Chicago is bit lacking in good Indian restaurants, especially upscale ones. Kama in Bucktown is a breath of fresh air. First, the food is excellent. If are not a lover of spice, but still like Indian flavors, this is the place for you. They can moderate the spice level of their dishes and many of thy dishes they have are. I super spicy, I ordered the lamb shank vindalvo and loved it. I asked for medium spice level and it was perfect. It has a good kick, but you can still taste the lamb. I also ordered the chicken tikka masala. They made this classic dish perfectly l. Second serve was great. My server was friendly, and the food came out quickly. Third the ambiance was great. It's a small and intimate place with cool vibes. I sum, this sis a must visit. read more

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This spot is perfect for a date night, as the ambience is moody and romantic. We ordered two appetizers and a main, and loved everything we tried. I was initially scared to get the vindaloo as it contains carolina reapers, but it ended up tasting pretty mild, even milder than the crispy potatoes! My favorite was the potatoes as the crunchy outside was drenched in a delicious sweet and spicy sauce. I could eat the whole plat by myself. The lemon paneer was good and citrusy, which was a nice balance to the heavier dishes we got. read more

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I came here with a group of 8 people and had a great experience. They have very fun cocktails (we ordered one that they set on fire) and great shareable entrees. Our group really liked the crispy chili potatoes, ghee roasted cauliflower, and the tikka masala. read more

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This is long overdue. Happy hour was fine. Food was fine. Service was okay. Where they fall flat is how they treat staff. Idk if he was a manager or owner but belittling the bartender just leaves a stench on this place. And I can't bring myself to go back. If your staff doesn't know how to do something, it's usually because they were not trained on how to do it. Therefore it's a reflection of your brand, not them. I hope this was a one off, and not the norm. read more

Kama is a great new addition to Wicker! Came here for a Diwali dinner with friends and I thoroughly enjoyed myself! They were quite busy but the service was pleasant and the quality was great. I had the paneer ravioli and I have to give it a 5/5. I was hesitant about it because sometimes the sauce can be too tikka-ish or just not enough flavor - however this was PERFECT. Set at a medium spice, it was packed with richness and aromatic. read more

Kama - Wicker Park - Indian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

There are so many new Indian restaurants in Chicago that it's hard to keep up with the ones that are actually good versus just riding on a new awareness and demand for the cuisine. Happy to share that Kama actually delivered on a wonderful dining experience. The ambiance was tastefully done. The service was attentive. And the food was excellent - appetizers and entrees. I can't wait to return with other friends to continue introducing more people to this place. Friends from last time have already been back, and also took others with them, confirming the consistency of the positive experience we had. read more

The food was amazing, the service was helpful and friendly and the ambiance was wonderful

Another great and rare weekend Happy Hour find! Saturdays and Sundays from 3-5p, many great food and drink discounts. Very creative cocktails, nice food friendly wines and excellent food. Each sauce was spiced differently and speaking of spice-- you are given the option of mild, medium and spicy and they execute your level accurately. Definitely will return. Mid-week drink flight specials looked really interesting too! read more

Kama - Wicker Park - Whiskey sour, naan, tacos - Indian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We ended up at Kama after discovering that our first, second, and third choice were temporary closed for dinner prep--and delight--they have a bar, which isn't something you often find in Indian restaurants with a nice ambiance. So that was a win. We shared the masala crab and goan fish curry, both of which were flavorful and well-prepared. Their cocktail menu is creative--we tried one and really enjoyed it, though the name escapes us now. We're already looking forward to going back. read more

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Flavor bombs everywhere! I can't say enough good things about Kama. Even the cocktails steal the show too. My drink rec? The rose-topped J'adore 75. Its as beautiful as it is delicious. Our server was pretty busy. I think he was taking care of the whole place all by himself. Regardless, they have a cozy, upscale vibe with standout flavors for for all personalities. Perfect for a date night or any special occasion! -AT read more

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Went during lunch, the food was good. I wish the portions were bigger for lunch. Only got 2 tacos for 16 dollars, it didn't seem worth the price. The waiter was nice and the drink he made was really good. Wish I could give 3.5 stars! read more

High end Indian- the berry/mezcal drink is amazing. Mussels with garlic naan were so good. Service was friendly, could have been more attentive. Love the vibe and decor read more

A lovely little place along busy Milwaukee Ave. Higher end for Indian (for my experience) but the food, drinks, and service were all excellent. It was quite busy for a Tuesday night, so I'd say I'm not the only one who thinks so. Hope to go back! read more

My brother and I decided to go here for our birthdays, as they are only a few days apart. We were incredibly surprised by the hopelessness of the flavor, the unique fusion and innovation of different culinary cuisines with south Asian spices, and the very cool ambience. I entered, hungry, left happy, and I'm looking forward to come back. Also, the servers were incredibly kind and hospitable. read more

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Kama is wonderful! The food is fresh and delicious and their cocktail list is awesome. The service was excellent as well-- Jo is great! Its just a great go-to for a beautiful Indian dinner in Wicker Park. read more

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10/10 experience at Kama!!! I already cannot wait to come back. Everything, from the ambiance, the details in decorations, to the service, and most importantly, the FOOD. It was all great. I am a big fan of Indian food and I have to say, this was some of the best Indian food I have had. The flavors in each dish were outstanding and did not disappoint. I really don't think you could go wrong ordering from this menu, but my favorites were definitely the crispy chili potatoes and the saag spinach masala. I know a meal is good when all I want to do is sleep after. read more

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It's been a while since I have had good Indian food, and Kama did not disappoint. I will caveat that Kama is not your traditional Indian restaurant. While there a few things on the menu that are common Indian staples, most of the dishes take a unique twist. For starters, we had the chili potatoes, pani puri and chicken harissa tacos. Skip- pani puri. Considering 'pani' means water in Hindi, this is a bit of a misnomer. They use the traditional shells, but you fill it with something that reminds you of a mango salsa. Worth trying once- chili potatoes. Think of this is as a little bit of a sweet and sour (with a hint of spice) potatoes. The sauce is as if tamarind and ketchup had a baby. They were enjoyable, but there were other things on the menu I'd want to try when I go back. Definite must order- the chicken harissa tacos were so good. They had the best flavor. We devoured these. For entrees, we ordered the chicken vindaloo and the short rib. The chicken vindaloo was a solid classic that you can't go wrong in ordering. The short rib is a bit of a misnomer and was more like a giant beef rib. It was super tender and flavorful. The sauce was a touch on the sweet side and the sweetness dominated the whole plate. The short rib came with truffle mashed potatoes. On their own, these potatoes were amazing. My piece of critical feedback is that the pairing between the two doesn't work because the sauce overpowers the truffle flavor, so it becomes pointless. For a side, we got the crispy okra. I thought it was going to be some form of a breaded, deep-fried okra, but it was more sautéed. Regardless, if you're an okra fan, this was really good. I'd eat bowlfuls of this! Im excited that Kama exists and cannot wait to try the additional offerings they have on their menu! read more

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Several things going very good for them but there is also a lot of work they need from food flavors, knowledge of the servers of the food they are serving. Let's do the good first though. We ordered a bunch of things between the 7 of us. Roasted cauliflower (don't know what's it called as it's not on their online menu). This was TERRIFIC. A simple yet flavorful half head of cauliflower. SeaBass. This was DEVINE. It had the skin on and the fish was cooked BEAUTIFULLY. In spite of it being a narrow but thick piece, the fish was really flavorful, juicy and did not dry out. The mash potatoes and sauteed spinach, while not something I tie with Indian food was ok. The fish was just fabulous. The saag masala was a nice touch. Lighter and not as bold as you would get a traditional Indian restaurant but still extremely flavorful. The naans we got were really fresh, soft and hmmmm, yummy. The lamb shank; the gravy on this was FANTASTIC. It was so good I couldn't stop. The lamb while flavorful was disappointing in terms of of how it was cooked. See lamb shanks I've had before (at very average places) actually fall off the bone. You need just use your fork and the whole piece comes off. This was not cooked like that. I had to use a knife to get the meat off and finally went all in with hands. I have no problem with going all hands in but just said that it wasn't cooked to perfection. Paneer lemon tadka was a disaster. While I understand and to a certain extent appreciate efforts for creating fusion, this dish just did not work out well; at least not to a South Asian palette. I 'think' it might be geared towards an Americanized palette so I can't say that it's not something that should not be on the menu. It just didn't do it for any of us. We ordered 3 deserts; the bourbon gulab jamun, the kulfi and the crem bule coconut putting (sorry, there is no desert menu online so don't remember what these are called) The gulab jamun was way way way too sweet. The texture was alright. The kulfi itself was great and hit the spot. When paired with some kind of sour cream, didn't like it. The biggest issue was the crem brulee desert. So when you think of a crem brulee, you expect to break the top with your spoon. That's not what we got. There was no breaking of anything (other than our hearts). The taste on this is two fold; when you put it in your mouth, the juicy and sweet flavors take over and create a magic in your mouth that leaves you wanting more. However, once the juicy flavor is gone, you are left with coconut pieces (a lot) which you have to chew and boy that was ANNOYING as it was taking away from the dish in a bad way. This desert has A LOT of potential but it needs major fixing. The worst for the last (which is what triggered the 3 star instead of a 4 star). Knowledge. So as I mentioned, we ordered the crem brulee coconut desert. Once it arrived, we noticed there was nothing to break so thought maybe the server got us something different and made a mistake. We needed to clarify so we reached out to him to confirm. According to him, it was the right desert. However, he had to check his ordering machine to make sure he got us the right thing. To me, this has given me the impression that this guy had no idea what he just served so he looked at the order history to see what it was and then said yes, it is the creme brulee. Hmmmmm, not good; not for a restaurant of this caliber. Unforgivable indeed. You cannot not have people who know their stuff on the floor. If they don't, they need training. Additionally, when we shared with him that we were expecting a desert where you would have to break the top with a spoon but this is nothing like what we were expecting. He did apologize but added 'this is how we make it.' Ouch. Not a response you give your patrons my friend especially when you are trying to sell something that is available at every other restaurant around the world in a certain way and yours is nowhere close to what it 'should' be. In this instance, it was what he said and the way/manner he said it in that kind of shocked us all. Guys, maybe I'm harsh on this one but these are the little things that stand out. For us, this joint was a one and done deal but they have a lot of potential in terms of flavors. read more