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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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

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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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

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

Good! A bit expensive for its size for me but the food was great and the vibes are nice! Waiter was super chill too and let me charge my dead phone on one of their chargers lol read more

We came here for a birthday dinner celebration. The staff was very kind and put a cute little candle in our dessert! The ravioli were nicely filled and deliciously saucey. The kofta was so soft and perfectly seasoned along with the sauce. The lamb shank vindaloo was fall off the bone - I would recommend this if you're into having a spicer sauce. The naan and roti were both soft, chewy, and cooked perfectly. I could do away without the cauliflower appetizer. The kulfi icecream was very good and not too sweet - it didn't have the flakey texture of traditional kulfi but it was still good. All the cocktails we tried in the Love section of the menu were nothing out of the ordinary. read more

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I saw this driving around, looked at the menu and why not? I had ravioli paneer- From scratch ravioli, paneer, mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, fenugreek, spinach, vodka makhani sauce. It was so good I just kept eating until it was gone. So much flavor! Donna had chicken vindaloo- tender chicken chunks with Arbol & Carolina peppers Harrisa flavored Goan curry, she chose medium spice and was still almost too hot for her. But she loved it. It was right next door to last week's pick. read more

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

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Very solid modern Indian food in the neighborhood. The lamb vindaloo was amazing, the crab cakes and chicken tikka masala were also delicious. The service was also exceptional. If you're craving Indian food and you're in the area check this place out. read more

Kama is such a great date night spot with lots of tasty cocktails and plenty of food options. We sat at the bar and had top-notch service the whole time. I definitely recommend the malai kofta, the paneer ravioli, and of course their samosas. I didn't get a chance to snap any photos, but I will next time! Thanks for a great evening read more

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

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

Who would have thought that on the same night we were eating and talking about how mostly okay the food was that I'd be writing a two star review? Dear Reader, I'm sorry to report that Open Table has misinformed you in so many ways. For one, the menu and pictures are for their other non-bistro location. The rest of the experience here doesn't make me want to go check out if that location is any better. We were asked to move from our table so someone that was waiting could have ours even though we were within the hour and a half window outlined on Open Table where the reservation was made. We were still in the middle of our drinks. We slammed our drinks and made sure the open table deposit we made for our reservation was being refunded since it wasn't reflected on our bill. Here's my advice... 1. Go somewhere else. Chicago has too many amazing restaurants to put up with being hassled to leave as soon as you pay your bill. 2. If you decide you want to try it, don't pay your bill until you're ready to leave I guess and maybe they'll leave you alone? I don't know. There are some other pretty amazing Indian places. Maybe hit the search button after reading this sentence and support one of those. read more

Really enjoyed our dinner here. The ambiance is cozy yet sophisticated, lighting is just right. The food was very flavorful and unique. The crispy potatoes were... interesting, very strong ketchup flavor that I particular wasn't a fan of (my personal taste). The chicken tikka masala was amazing, very flavorful and filling. Got the kulfi ice cream for dessert and was surprised on how flavorful it was. Wide drink menu, got the Indian G&T and really liked it. Service was prompt and helpful. My partner got the mussels for the appetizer and shrimp curry for dinner and was impressed. 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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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

Everything about our experience at Kama was great! The service was great. Our server was attentive, food runners were knowledgeable of the dishes, and our water glasses were never empty. We came here on a beautiful day so the front windows were open which added to the ambiance. The lighting and style of the restaurant complimented the food and area. The food was AMAZING! We had the Goan mussels to start with naan to dip in the sauce. We ordered them with a medium spice level but as some who loves spicy food, I think I should have orders hot or extra hot. The flavors were delicious and the mussels were cooked just right. For our main courses, we had the paneer ravioli and the tandoori sea bass. The paneer ravioli was highlight for me and I loved how it focused on the Indian flavors and presentation rather than trying to be a pasta dish. The sea bass was cooked perfectly-- it was light, crispy on the outside soft on the inside, and the flavors were fresh. The cocktail menu here is also very strong. There were so many drinks on the menu that looks great. I tried a sage and rosemary flavored drink that was fantastic. They also have a good happy hour menu-- different days have beer, wine, and even cocktail flights! Thank you Kama for a wonderful dining experience. read more

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Wabbit: - Masala: 6.5/10 - Mussels: 8/10 - Shank: 7/10 - Naan: 7.5/10 Really enjoyed the mussels for the appetizer, it is a must if you come here. The lamb shank was good but I had higher expectations as it is a popular item. The masala was okay but kind of disappointed they ran out of chicken, so had to choose lamb. Naan paired nicely with the dishes but delicious on its own too. It was a filling and hearty meal overall. Nice and relaxed atmosphere but depending on your seating, it could be a bit chilly in the winter with the doors opening and closing constantly. Would be open to come back to try other dishes. Bear: - Masala: 7/10 - : 7.5/10 - : 7/10 - Naan: 7.5/10 (8.5 when dipped in mussel sauce) Service was nice and patient. The restaurant is very modern and decorated beautifully. Mussels and naan came together. Mussels were fresh and flavorful. Naan was good by itself but when dipped in the sauce that came with the mussel, it was very good. Shank was tender and came off the bone very easily. The taste could've used something more; overall a good dish but a standard taste profile. The masala was not bad, we added in lamb because chicken was out. I think I would go with a red curry next time. Note: the shank and masala we ordered mild and it was still a little spicy so if you can't have spicy at all, this is something to keep in mind read more

Kama - Wicker Park - Top right: Saag/ Spinach Masala Bottom left: Lamb Shank Vindaloo - Indian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stopped by last night for their Chicago Restaurant Week menu and can I just say WOW! The restaurant exceeded all expectations. This easily became my favorite Indian restaurant in Chicago for both the food and the cocktails. Kama has the most flavorful cocktails in the entire city, each one with plenty of herbs or spices that intricately balances out the remainder of the drink. Starters: Samosas & Lobster Bisque Main: Lamb Chop Masala & Chicken Tikka Masala Dessert: Bourbon Gulab Jamun & Coconut Kheer Brulee Cocktails: Kama Old Fashion, Sage Advice, Smokin Berries & J'Adore 75 Interior was beautiful and had super nice attention to detail. Even the hand dryer in the bathroom was a lovely copper color like all the decorations in the restaurant. Service was incredibly attentive and quick. We absolutely adored our server Ayah. Something we did not notice until after we payed is that there is a 20% gratuity fee added on to all CRW participants. This was in small font at the bottom of the menu but we honestly didn't have our menus for more than a few minutes. Inevitably we tipped on top of the 20% tip. It's on the individualized bill but our mistake we didn't look. I would highly recommend that if this practice continues in the future that you have the servers state this when the bill comes out or in the beginning when handing out the menus. That has been more so the standard practice in Chicago. read more

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Great food as always and unique cocktails. A change from the usual cocktail list you find everywhere. Def recommend

Kama is really a desire for yummy Food Kama restaurant in downtown Chicago offers a diverse menu with standout dishes like daal makhni, paneer, and chana masala. While the garlic naan lacked the desired softness, the flavors were on point. The inclusion of green chili and onion provided a delightful twist to the overall dining experience. The restaurant boasts a pleasant ambiance complemented by attentive staff. The entrance was little bit confusing as I went there first time Despite this, Kama remains a nice choice for those seeking authentic Indian cuisine in the heart of Chicago. read more

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You definitely need to make a reservation here even though me and my friend didn't someone didn't show up so we took their spots. The restaurant was pretty nice. We said at the bar the bartenders were pretty cool. Food was amazing. I'm a vegan so they're vegan options was pretty great. The drinks were amazing. They were full all night read more

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I tried Kama recently with friends and family for weekend lunch and the experience was great! I'm glad we have a nice fusion Indian restaurant in Wicker Park neighborhood! We tried Crispy chilli potatoes for appetizer, and it was amazing. It was served with a spicy ketchup sauce (Kama sauce) which blended bell with the potatoes. We then ordered Spinach Saag Masala and Paneer Ravioli for main course. It was served with rice but we also ordered garlic naan and tandoori roti along with it. Paneer ravioli was definitely a hit; we all savored it till its last bite. Spinach Saag Masala was also good but seemed a bit bland when compared with the paneer. They surely seem to have less vegan/ vegetarian options, but nonetheless what they have is pretty good! My friend ordered a Weekend Getaway for drinks and I felt it was too bitter for my taste but he liked it! I recommend Kama to try their fusion take on Indian food, you will not be disappointed! read more

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Love this place. Conveniently located next to the Damen stop, the perfect amount of ambience, and the food is excellent. Malai kofta is a favorite but everything is very well done here. Oh also the crispy potato appetizer is a must!! read more

Kama was really good, the food had a good level of spiciness. The service was good but they forgot it was for an anniversary reservation. Ambiance was nice, we went during a festival so there was loud music. 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

This is by far, my favorite meal in Chicago. Almost everything on the menu is exceptional - you take your first bite and think "holy shit" exceptional. After having every single food item on the menu now, I keep going back to the classic chicken tikka masala, extra spicy. My fiancé keeps coming back to the lamb shank vindaloo and will no longer eat anything else. We always get the dal, mild, and garlic naan. We switch up the appetizer every time - you cannot go wrong! Beware if you're sensitive to spice though, some dishes are much hotter than others even at the same spice level. (Lamb shank vindaloo - spicy is MUCH hotter than the tikka masala - spicy bc it has reaper chilis in it). The only negative thing I have to say is the Chilean sea bass is inedible. The amount of salt on it should be illegal, and I can't imagine anybody enjoys that. And we love salt in this household! Overall incredible food that keeps us coming back almost weekly over the past year. read more

We dined in on a whim, and it was a full house. Though, the tables for 2 were too small! We usually like to order multiple items and share family style, but it would've be too difficult to do at these tables. The prices were a bit pricey, but the spices and quality were wonderful. Ghee Roasted Cauliflower for $20 was crazy, but I did very much enjoy it. We loved dipping the Garlic Naan in the Chicken Tikka Masala. Kama is definitely a huge improvement compared to the previous establishments that were there! read more

Kama - Wicker Park - Chicken Tikka Masala, Garlic Naan - Indian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is so cute! Been wanting to go for awhile and finally got the chance to hit it up. Our server was great! I think she also was our server at Indienne! But so knowledgeable and attentive! The food was DELICIOUS! Everything we ordered was so flavorful! And we loved the vibe. read more

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

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The service was great and there was plenty of seating on the inside. The restaurant was well decorated as well. The food itself was very tasty and authentic with a modern twist. I got the chicken lemon tadka (spicy) for an app and the chicken was very juicy and flavorful. I also got the paneer ravioli. I would say both these dishes were a bit saucier and I felt like I needed a naan of some sort to accompany it. I got the goan blossom as well as a mock tail that tasted very good. I got a naan to go with my ravioli leftovers. Overall, I would recommend! read more

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

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If you're looking for a new take on Indian dishes this is the place to start. The complex flavors, medley of arrangements and presentation is unique. The ambiance and staff are wonderful. Our waitress was great with suggestions and helpful in selecting cocktails. read more

We went for restaurant week and truly enjoyed our experience here. Place was hopping! We felt taken care of. We sat near the kitchen and I was impressed with their efficiency. Everything we had was so tasty! The mussels and the sauce was so good. And the garlic naan was excellent. Lamb chops and shrimp and grits were wonderful! I can't wait to come back read more

Another one! I say that because in the recent past many "modern" Indian restaurants or as Kama puts it "refined" have popped up. I give them some grace for finding an accurate description because it's hard. However I know what it means. It's not your traditional restaurant that you may run into, it's not fusion but rather its the product of American dining influences on Indian food. This is their second location with the first one being in La Grange. They know what they are doing, good service, ambience and menu structure. Cocktails were delicious and they all have an Indian twist. We got a dish per person to share and accompanied them with rice and naan. - Paneer ravioli - delicious - Braised Lamb Tikka - really cool that you can pick your protein with the curry - Chicken achari - Short rib - huge and maybe not worth the price All the flavors and portions were spot on. We finished off with a rich gulab jamun for dessert. All in all a good addition to the Chicago scene. read more

I came here for a birthday and loved the vibe. It's a cute little spot that reminds me of Bar Goa. Service was great, as our waiter did a good job taking care of our rather big party. The cocktails are phenomenal (I'm always a fan of Indian fusion cocktails). I had the cloud nine:) I ordered the paneer achari. It wasn't bad, but it was a tad bit too sour for my taste. It was hard to have more than a few bites because of how strong the tanginess/sourness was. I also tried a friend's makai kofta, which tasted very creamy and flavorful. I wish the food was made a bit spicier. Overall, I thought this place was pretty decent. I'd be open to coming again and trying some of the other dishes on their menu next time. read more

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

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Simply delicious!! The staff was very attentive and helpful and made the experience really wonderful. A definite repeat - there was so much on the menu I wanted to try. The atmosphere is a hip yet cozy vibe. read more

Kama - Wicker Park - Tiki Tikka Masala/Makhani - Indian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Kama brings the best of both worlds: traditional Indian tastes with a modern flair. Every dish is a flavorful journey that's both comforting and exciting. From the street food-inspired starters to the aromatic mains, Kama hits all the right notes. The service is friendly, and the ambiance is inviting. If you're craving authentic Indian cuisine with a contemporary twist, Kama is the place to be. Check out my pics to see what I ordered! read more

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I was skeptical because I've never really liked Indian food in the few times I've tried it. Always too cumin forward for me which I don't but I will say we tried a bunch of different dishes and they were all delicious! Staff was friendly- there was a lapse in checking in during our meal when we wanted dessert but the bussing staff was very attentive. We ordered: -garlic naan - 9/10 very good, nice texture and good price for the serving but the garlic sauce was barely on some pieces and drenched on others, so could be distributed better - lemon chicken tadka 9/10 - a few pieces overcooked but the sauce was delicious and great with the garlic naan - malai kofta - 8/10 paneer and potato dumplings in a red sauce. The sauce was very tasty! Super different. The balls were good and a fine vessel for the sauce but nothing to write home about - Achari with braised lamb 10/10 this was our fav dish. We got medium spice and it was delicious! Came with a giant bowl of rice and a decent portion of delicious braised lamb - lamb vindaloo 8/10, this was very tasty, a spicier sauce. I would recommend for sure but I'll say for the similarities to the Achari and the price difference, next time we will skip this and just do the Achari - Bread pudding 6.5/10 - if this wasn't called bread pudding I could bump to a 7 bc it wasn't bad... but it's not the texture of bread pudding at all and we found the chai flavor to be quite overpowering. The ice cream helped but this is the only thing we agreed we would not order again Overall, highly recommend!! Great option for Indian and the lemon chicken, naan, and braised lamb Achari are musts!! read more

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The food; superb. The ambience; earthy and warm. The staff amazing! Ayah soared and delivered wonderful service! The lamb chops were spicy and flavorful! The chicken tikka is had a creamy and juicy! The bourbon gulab and kulfi ice cream enjoyed together is Devine! Will definitely be back to enjoy the full menu! read more

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

Was pretty excited to try this place, but was a little underwhelmed with the options. First we got the sweet potato chaat which in my opinion, was super sweet and didn't have any Indian flavors at all. The one thing that I'd come back for is the paneer ravioli. All in all, the service was great and the place is cute, but it's definitely not my favorite Indian place. Worth checking out for the fusion but unfortunately, just didn't hit the spot for me! read more