Mako

We were extremely excited to try out Chef Park’s Michelin starred omakase experience in west loop after falling in love with Juno. The tasting menu flew by for as many courses as it was but we were a bit disappointed with the service. Chef Park was engaging and personable through the meal and the intimate setting of the restaurant makes this a natural choice for a special occasion/date.

Visited 3 months ago

Beauty in humble simplicity.

The entrance door can be cumbersome especially if the strong winds are blowing. We were greeted inside and the gentleman kindly took our coats. He verified our reservations and remembered that it was to celebrate my wife's birthday. He led us to our reserved seats at the sushi bar and less than 5 minutes later we had another gentleman come by with the wine/cocktail menu.

There were 2 sushi chefs at the counter and each was in charge of 4 people that night. Each delectable course is explained where it is from, what is on it, recommend way of eating it and is served timely after the other as to enjoy their unique qualities. There is ample time to make small talk between each course so you don't feel rushed.

The majority of pieces felt well crafted, and some were a bit overwhelming to the point it masked the adjuncts overpowered the flavor of the fish. It took away the focus from the fish and made the fish seem more like it was to enhance the flavor of i.e. ginger/scallion. The seared wagyu, super fatty tuna+uni, and seared super fatty tuna with a hint of salt were absolutely divine. The various sashimi+smoked tuna dish had a beautiful presentation. The least amazing for us was the tamago dish. It felt out of place and was uninspiring. It was as if they added it to the menu to increase the count of dishes they offer for their price. If they added it in as and off the menu surprise I wouldn't be complaining.

Overall it was a great experience. For my wife's birthday they gave her a menu with a little writing from everyone on the staff to take home which was a bit cute. I feel that they could have given her something else considering the price and the Michelin star. Unfortunately we didn't have plans to keep it as a memento so we left it. I felt as if the server staff was a bit more conversational and welcoming that the sushi chefs prepping in front of us at the counter. We would of course be asked if we are enjoying everything but not much more than that. Maybe it's just me but an omakase is more than just the food. It's about the whole experience, interaction, intimacy and connection to the people and the food.

Paid street parking/lot in the area, no valet, recommend reservations, gratuity already included in the check, free coat check, handicap accessible, no pets.

Visited 4 months ago

Incredible experience. I have been to several omakases in Chicago and this is the best. Although it was the most expensive, it was well worth it. There were 3 chefs preparing each dish - ours was named Max and he was brilliant. Each dish was meticulously crafted. The dishes were amazing - I never knew food could taste that delicious and complex. I can't even describe the tastes... except that it was amazing. The servers explained each dish in detail and even provided instructions on how to eat the dish.

I can't recommend Mako enough.

Visited a year ago

If you come here just for the food I imagine you may leave pretty happy I have complaints but only because I've lived in Japan it would be unfair for me to tell a regular chicagoan that the food here is bad. The only thing that I'll say bad about the food is that the rice here is hard and not good (because it's easy to fix). But the service here is not great and is why I leave a poor review today. When you enter the restaurant the door is incredibly heavy and feels locked and there is no one to greet you. You are asked to provide a deposit and arrive 10 minutes early as if you are the unreliable one but they will ignore you for around around 30 minutes before the even bring you water. The blonde female waitress quietly reads off the wines and dishes like she's upset you came. She did brighten up when I made a joke to her so maybe try telling one at the start of your meal. At one point when they served me negitoro maki (the cheapest maki in Japan) I took a bite and asked for soy sauce (mainly out of curiosity because they didn't provide it normally and not even the most expensive sushi restaurant in Japan wouldn't have it) and the waiters first words to me were "the food is actually pretty seasoned." But he was clearly an intern so I let it slide. There is one bathroom here that has a theme and design but is not super clean. This amount i paid ($470 for two) with a pre-included 20% gratuity probably should have bought me much better service in addition to food.

I came here for my own birthday for nostalgia but I left feeling that if I ever took a Japanese client here the experience would probably really sour the relationship by a lot. So overall I think I cannot recommend Mako.

Visited 6 months ago

We went here the weekend after 2/14. The food was amazing, esp the lamb, uni, raw shrimp, and soup courses. However, I found the pricing to be deceptive/scammy and it wasn’t enough food. Firstly, on tock the tasting menu was listed as $185 when we booked, but when the bill came it was suddenly $215pp (they probably didn’t update it at the time, but they should’ve). Most importantly, the chef offered a salmon piece with king oyster mushrooms in the middle of the meal and asked if everyone would like to “try it” as if it was a complimentary piece. Everyone in the room said enthusiastically, sure why not, and accepted the extra piece. I believe others assumed it was a complimentary piece as well. I didn’t think it was not complimentary esp given it wasn’t a special or memorable piece at all. Then when the bill came it was an extra $60 basically, $26 per piece. We felt like we were baited. There are many ways to convey this course wasn’t complimentary. The most obvious way would have been for the server, not the chef, to let us know in the beginning or towards the end of the meal that there would be a special item on the menu and ask if we wanted to partake, not just the chef casually asking if we wanted to “try” a piece. Being a fine dining establishment, they should have known to convey this better. With the bill being with all these unexpected curveballs, the $350 pp total felt not worth it for just one Michelin star. I also was only semi full at the end of the meal (I’m less than 110lbs…) as the nigiris were small. I’d think with $350 they could make the pieces normal sized?? Maybe I’m used to food in ny but there are many places for Michelin star or high quality food for less than this price tag with better experiences and more food. Side note was that it was really cold inside for some reason, the other guests around and I were freezing and had to ask them to turn up the space heaters. TLDR: great tasting food, gorgeous interior, but deceptive pricing, left semi full

Visited a year ago

Great atmosphere to hang out and eat with friends. Quiet and clean restaurant. Omakase fish quality is good for $150/person. Good value since it is in Chicago.

Visited a year ago

The food is good. We were seated at the bar so we could watch the different chefs cooking in front of us, which was nice and made for a very Asian experience. We chose menu plus wine pairing and the chef's special. Basically we tried everything. Even if the food is very good, the value for money is not there (almost 800 dollars for 2) and the service is very far from a 1 star restaurant. When we arrived, no one offered to take our coats and bags. I had to put my bag directly on the floor and my long jacket was dragging on the floor ... nobody to pull the chair or to accompany us to our departure, which for me are classic service for a star restaurant. The service didn't respect the customer's rhythm. I'm a slow eater, but they kept sending out dishes and glasses of wine. Until I found myself with 3 different glasses + water and 4 plates. Ridiculous. Even in a classic restaurant, I've never had my cocktail served at the same time as the wine, or been served my dish while I was still eating the starter... doesn’t worth your money!

Visited 6 months ago

My husband and I came here for our anniversary yesterday and had a great experience. The service is top notch and the food quality is excellent. We had a reservation and were immediately seated without having to wait. Everything was extremely fresh and prepared right in front of us. The uni and temaki hand rolls were the best I’ve ever had - so creamy and flavorful. The black miso cod was also spectacular. At the end we received a copy of the night’s menu with signatures from the staff and “Happy Anniversary“ written at the top. Very thoughtful touch :)

Visited 2 years ago

Amazing dinner with the best staff! Everyone was very knowledgeable and answered any questions we had. It was a truly special place to visit for our 5 year wedding anniversary.

Visited 2 months ago

Visited 3 months ago

Visited 3 months ago

Third time coming to Mako. First two times were back in 2022 and had good experiences then, so disappointed to need to write this review. The main critique I have for the nigiri served on this visit was the rice to fish ratio. The abundance of rice overpowered the fish which I think was too thinly sliced. Compared to other omakases I've been impressed at, the quality of nigiri here seemed to lack any sort of mastery which I would expect from a place that flaunts a Michelin star.

The second and arguably worse red flag was I discovered a long piece of hair in my dessert. I brought this to a server's attention and the plate was taken back into the kitchen with a new one coming out several minutes later. A very short "we're sorry about that" was delivered by the waiter but no effort was made beyond that. I think a strand of hair found in a served plate is unacceptable at a 1 Michelin star restaurant, and if it does happen, it should be taken more seriously than just simply replacing the dish.

This is unfortunately not what I would expect for a 1 Michelin star establishment. The team there should step up their game if they hope to keep their star and continue to have omakase enjoyers visit.

Visited 3 months ago

Visited 3 months ago

We were extremely excited to try out Chef Park’s Michelin starred omakase experience in west loop after falling in love with Juno. The tasting menu flew by for as many courses as it was but we were a bit disappointed with the service. Chef Park was engaging and personable through the meal and the intimate setting of the restaurant makes this a natural choice for a special occasion/date.

Visited 3 months ago

Visited 3 months ago

One of the better omakase experiences I had in Chicago! Courses are varied (not just nigiri) which makes it worth the $$.

Visited 3 months ago

Beauty in humble simplicity.

The entrance door can be cumbersome especially if the strong winds are blowing. We were greeted inside and the gentleman kindly took our coats. He verified our reservations and remembered that it was to celebrate my wife's birthday. He led us to our reserved seats at the sushi bar and less than 5 minutes later we had another gentleman come by with the wine/cocktail menu.

There were 2 sushi chefs at the counter and each was in charge of 4 people that night. Each delectable course is explained where it is from, what is on it, recommend way of eating it and is served timely after the other as to enjoy their unique qualities. There is ample time to make small talk between each course so you don't feel rushed.

The majority of pieces felt well crafted, and some were a bit overwhelming to the point it masked the adjuncts overpowered the flavor of the fish. It took away the focus from the fish and made the fish seem more like it was to enhance the flavor of i.e. ginger/scallion. The seared wagyu, super fatty tuna+uni, and seared super fatty tuna with a hint of salt were absolutely divine. The various sashimi+smoked tuna dish had a beautiful presentation. The least amazing for us was the tamago dish. It felt out of place and was uninspiring. It was as if they added it to the menu to increase the count of dishes they offer for their price. If they added it in as and off the menu surprise I wouldn't be complaining.

Overall it was a great experience. For my wife's birthday they gave her a menu with a little writing from everyone on the staff to take home which was a bit cute. I feel that they could have given her something else considering the price and the Michelin star. Unfortunately we didn't have plans to keep it as a memento so we left it. I felt as if the server staff was a bit more conversational and welcoming that the sushi chefs prepping in front of us at the counter. We would of course be asked if we are enjoying everything but not much more than that. Maybe it's just me but an omakase is more than just the food. It's about the whole experience, interaction, intimacy and connection to the people and the food.

Paid street parking/lot in the area, no valet, recommend reservations, gratuity already included in the check, free coat check, handicap accessible, no pets.

Visited 4 months ago

Visited 4 months ago

Yo my wallet is empty but my stomach is full so win-lose🥇🥈🥉
++hot yung chefs they can steal yo girl or man be careful!!!!!!!!!!!11111🥵

Visited 4 months ago

Visited 4 months ago

Sushi was good but not worth the price. While you get many courses, I’d prefer they serve fewer courses and give higher quality fish. King salmon, fatty tuna, uni, and eel were the standouts.

Servers were attentive, but the description of each fish was rushed and I could barely hear them most of the time. Not very personalized.

Visited 5 months ago

Visited 5 months ago

Visited 5 months ago

Visited 5 months ago

Delightful experience.

Visited 5 months ago

Mako is NOT worth the money they charge. The food was mediocre at best and they give the thinnest slices of fish possible. We left hungry and I usually get full after a few bites so… yeah. The chef and the ones bringing food to the bar spoke so softly we couldn’t understand half the things they said. Therefore, it was nice that they provided a mini written menu of the dishes that we were getting beforehand. They also had a problem with the pay machine and we had to get up to go pay and couldn’t even get a physical receipt.
I am truly shocked that this place has a Michelin star. I’ve had much better omakase experiences for cheaper. Anyways, I would spend a little more money and go for a three star restaurant in the city.

Visited 5 months ago

If you come here just for the food I imagine you may leave pretty happy I have complaints but only because I've lived in Japan it would be unfair for me to tell a regular chicagoan that the food here is bad. The only thing that I'll say bad about the food is that the rice here is hard and not good (because it's easy to fix). But the service here is not great and is why I leave a poor review today. When you enter the restaurant the door is incredibly heavy and feels locked and there is no one to greet you. You are asked to provide a deposit and arrive 10 minutes early as if you are the unreliable one but they will ignore you for around around 30 minutes before the even bring you water. The blonde female waitress quietly reads off the wines and dishes like she's upset you came. She did brighten up when I made a joke to her so maybe try telling one at the start of your meal. At one point when they served me negitoro maki (the cheapest maki in Japan) I took a bite and asked for soy sauce (mainly out of curiosity because they didn't provide it normally and not even the most expensive sushi restaurant in Japan wouldn't have it) and the waiters first words to me were "the food is actually pretty seasoned." But he was clearly an intern so I let it slide. There is one bathroom here that has a theme and design but is not super clean. This amount i paid ($470 for two) with a pre-included 20% gratuity probably should have bought me much better service in addition to food.

I came here for my own birthday for nostalgia but I left feeling that if I ever took a Japanese client here the experience would probably really sour the relationship by a lot. So overall I think I cannot recommend Mako.

Visited 6 months ago

Visited 6 months ago

The food was truly incredible and I really mean outstanding - one of the best gastronomical experiences I’ve had. The service was however inconsistent, some of the staff seemed not interested in being there, didn’t know what they were serving, mumbled it, or read off of the little paper notes on the tables. The non alcoholic cocktails were an afterthought, as someone who doesn’t drink I would have expected more subtle or nuanced drinks, the passion fruit drink I had was basically just juice with ice, no garnish, and two cocktail straws which was just weird. One of the drinks was taken before it was done, the other was left empty after more than 5 courses went by. It may seem nitpicky but for a place that expensive, with a Michelin star, the service left me a little underwhelmed. Also the AC was blasting so bring a sweater.

Visited 6 months ago

Visited 6 months ago

The food is good. We were seated at the bar so we could watch the different chefs cooking in front of us, which was nice and made for a very Asian experience. We chose menu plus wine pairing and the chef's special. Basically we tried everything. Even if the food is very good, the value for money is not there (almost 800 dollars for 2) and the service is very far from a 1 star restaurant. When we arrived, no one offered to take our coats and bags. I had to put my bag directly on the floor and my long jacket was dragging on the floor ... nobody to pull the chair or to accompany us to our departure, which for me are classic service for a star restaurant. The service didn't respect the customer's rhythm. I'm a slow eater, but they kept sending out dishes and glasses of wine. Until I found myself with 3 different glasses + water and 4 plates. Ridiculous. Even in a classic restaurant, I've never had my cocktail served at the same time as the wine, or been served my dish while I was still eating the starter... doesn’t worth your money!

Visited 6 months ago

Absolutely phenomenal dinner. To date, my favorite meal I’ve ever had. Amazing care taken into preparing each course, fantastic service, and just overall an amazing time.

Visited 6 months ago

Best sushi in town. Well balanced traditional sushi and innovative hot dishes. recommend for a date night!!

Visited 6 months ago

Mako in Chicago is where sushi dreams come true! This sleek and intimate spot offers an omakase experience that’s as much a show as it is a meal. Every dish is like a work of art, with top-notch ingredients and creative flavors that make you savor every bite. The chefs here are masters at what they do, crafting a sushi journey that feels exclusive and unforgettable. If you're ready to treat yourself to some serious sushi magic, Mako's got you covered.

Visited 6 months ago

Food: High quality. Wasn't stuffed by the end but was a decent amount of food. Favorite was the "off-menu" salmon/white truffle. Least favorite was the squab dish (not bad but just felt out of place). Could've also used another dessert.

Service: Some minor-ish mistakes by our waiters (opened a sparkling water bottle and it fizzed everywhere, an incorrect drink order, napkin was not folded after using restroom). They did give us handwritten birthday cards at end of service which was nice. For a Michelin star, I do expect better (perhaps an off night).

Atmosphere: Intimate seating but wow was it cold in there. The thermostat must have been <69. Bring a layer. I enjoyed the playlist a lot.

Visited 7 months ago

Possibly the best culinary experience I've had the pleasure to partake in. Can't recommend it to everyone because of the price ($200-$300), but if you can afford it then it's a once in a lifetime kind of meal.

Visited 7 months ago

Visited 7 months ago

Visited 7 months ago

Visited 7 months ago

Service was subpar for a Michelin star restaurant, the check came back incorrect with additional items we did not order. The servers were not attentive. One of the courses was over salted.

Visited 7 months ago

Visited 7 months ago

Might be the best sushimi in Chicago.

Visited 7 months ago

Visited 7 months ago

amazing sushi! some of the best i've ever had! service was incredible too!

Visited 8 months ago

Visited 8 months ago

Ok Mako, you are Michelin star rated, please start acting like it!
There is a certain lack of respect towards your guests - let me explain.
When you have a guest, please introduce yourself. I am coming to you for an experience, not for you to just put food and drinks in front of me. This goes for all staff: host, servers, chefs and anyone else present during service.
The lack of human connection is up front. I feel like another dollar. After a $700+ tab, for 2 people, I would like human connection.
Also, I can really taste the SHRINKFLATION. Just slightly less fish to same amount of rice can be felt in each bite AND on each plate. Please, give your customers what they paid for. I
know that running a profitable restaurant business is not easy, but having customers whom want to come back for seconds and thirds and who will tell their friends is where you succeed. I don't believe that you deserve a Michelin Star!
Better service received by Benjamin after asking for his name. Chef at the counter - no engagement in conversation from him, all engagement from us. Host and Female server- no name, no engagement in conversation. Cold and sterile environment from all staff. I am not coming to you for a funeral, I am here to have a good time and celebrate life, eat great food and make new memories. But your rules make me feel like I am in a museum. This is absolutely ridiculous and against HOSPITALITY! There is nothing hospitable about serving a stranger and ZERO engagement. I would leave a bigger tip if you and I connected, if you made me feel like a welcome guest. But you made me feel like another customer, like another number on a Friday night. I will give 3 stars for quality of food, preparation, execution and wine/ sake pairing.

Visited 9 months ago

Visited 9 months ago

Visited 9 months ago

Visited 9 months ago

Nothing bad to say. I like the fact that the chef serves you as well and not just the server.

Visited 9 months ago

They hiked the price 50% yoy. Not a good deal. Food is okay nothing special

Visited 9 months ago

Highly recommend!

Visited 10 months ago

The most perfect meal I've ever eaten.

Visited 10 months ago

Visited 10 months ago

Visited 10 months ago

Had one of the best omakase in Chicago at Mako! Such unique and delicious offerings. Fish was so fresh and they make their own eel sauce! 10/10/10!

Visited 10 months ago

Visited 10 months ago

I had an absolutely horrific experience tonight. Due to politicians visiting and rain I was in a horrible traffic taking me 1.5 hours to get to this restaurant for a 0.8 miles commute. I called and texted twice to let them know the situation.
After being ignored for a while I left the cab and went back to the hotel and ordered my mediocre dinner. All I asked Mako is not even a refund but ability to come in the future. They declined for some reason.
No, they did not spend over $100 preparing for my dinner experience so it is disappointing they collect over $100 because they feel like it. I respectfully asked for future credit when I am back in Chicago but of course they rather just take the money. What kind of premium experience this is. I hope they lose their Micheline star

Visited 10 months ago

Beautiful dining experience, you are explained every portion of the meal given to you and staff gave impeccable service

Visited 10 months ago

Great atmosphere to hang out and eat with friends. Quiet and clean restaurant. Omakase fish quality is good for $150/person. Good value since it is in Chicago.

Visited a year ago

A phenomenal experience that left me satisfied. The amount of food was just enough! The best sushi in Chicago!

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

The most unreal dining experience I’ve ever had. Unparalleled. Sushi will never be the same!
So grateful to have experienced Mako in my lifetime. The chefs are artists - true craftsmen. Not a single complaint.

Visited a year ago

Inventive, delicious Japanese! Great views!

Visited a year ago

We went here the weekend after 2/14. The food was amazing, esp the lamb, uni, raw shrimp, and soup courses. However, I found the pricing to be deceptive/scammy and it wasn’t enough food. Firstly, on tock the tasting menu was listed as $185 when we booked, but when the bill came it was suddenly $215pp (they probably didn’t update it at the time, but they should’ve). Most importantly, the chef offered a salmon piece with king oyster mushrooms in the middle of the meal and asked if everyone would like to “try it” as if it was a complimentary piece. Everyone in the room said enthusiastically, sure why not, and accepted the extra piece. I believe others assumed it was a complimentary piece as well. I didn’t think it was not complimentary esp given it wasn’t a special or memorable piece at all. Then when the bill came it was an extra $60 basically, $26 per piece. We felt like we were baited. There are many ways to convey this course wasn’t complimentary. The most obvious way would have been for the server, not the chef, to let us know in the beginning or towards the end of the meal that there would be a special item on the menu and ask if we wanted to partake, not just the chef casually asking if we wanted to “try” a piece. Being a fine dining establishment, they should have known to convey this better. With the bill being with all these unexpected curveballs, the $350 pp total felt not worth it for just one Michelin star. I also was only semi full at the end of the meal (I’m less than 110lbs…) as the nigiris were small. I’d think with $350 they could make the pieces normal sized?? Maybe I’m used to food in ny but there are many places for Michelin star or high quality food for less than this price tag with better experiences and more food. Side note was that it was really cold inside for some reason, the other guests around and I were freezing and had to ask them to turn up the space heaters. TLDR: great tasting food, gorgeous interior, but deceptive pricing, left semi full

Visited a year ago

A decent Japanese restaurant serving delicious foods.

Visited a year ago

I came to Mako with my fiancé and friend for the tasting and wine pairing. Overall, food was very good! We recently traveled to Japan, and the quality was similar (though sizes were much smaller). A few things to note:

We were extremely rushed throughout the courses and wine pairings. The 23 courses and pairings were served in an hour. There were multiple times in which we had barely started a glass of wine before the next one came out…and times in which two courses were served within minutes of each other. We weren’t able to sit back and relax, rather we we spent an hour tripping through the courses.

The sommelier sounded extremely scripted and unconfident in the wines he was pouring. For the price of this experience, we were hoping that this would have been very fun, instead we felt as though the mix of an unsure sommelier and the rush of each course was not worth it.

The food, while good, was extremely small. We left and within two hours were sitting in a pub eating chicken tenders and waffle fries.

Every restaurant is allowed to have off-nights, but when you are in the Michelin-Star realm, it’s an eat or be eaten world. All in all, it was a fun experience…that we probably won’t repeat. There are so many other wonderful restaurants around Chicago that, unfortunately, we would love to try before coming back.

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

Speechless. Wow at every dish

Visited a year ago

While it might be one of, if not the most, expensive omakase in Chicago…it’s absolutely the best sushi in town.

Visited a year ago

This experience with food was not just good, it was life changing! My gf and I went for our anniversary and were treated exceptionally well. The sushi was out of this world in both flavor and presentation. I've been eating sushi since I was 3, all over the US and in Japan and to experience it so uniquely after all other experiences was just magical!

Visited a year ago

Highly recommend the Chefs table omakaze. The wine and sake pairing was a perfect accompaniment.

Visited a year ago

Food was tasty. Service implacable.
The prices...:that's a whole different story. I've had omakase in several top restaurants, and all were pricy. Mako's prices were much much higher than the next most expensive one (and they mandated a 20% tip).

Bottom line? Tasty, pleasant, but not sure it's worth it.

Visited a year ago

Waited for a while to gave review. Me and my husband went there for our anniversary. An Asian guy waiter made me feel very uncomfortable. Taking my plates without informing me. I got startled a couple of times. Not sure how to get their service with a star.

Visited a year ago

I went to Mako with my friends and had a great culinary experience. In addition to the food, we also tasted several varieties of wines from several continents. The way in which the food is cooked, the way of presentation and the design of the restaurant make Mako the ideal choice for a perfect experience.

Visited a year ago

I would leave 2 star review but the service and atmosphere made up for some of the food short comings. The Omakase was fine nothing spectacular for the price you pay. You have to deposit $150 per person to make a reservation to then get hit by another charge of another $150 - $200 after your dinner. For a family of 4 we ended spending close over $1,500. Paying this much for a dinner you would expect to feel satiated but you leave feeling not hungry but not full after 25 dishes. The pieces of nigiri are comically small. The other omakase experience I have done was $195 all-in at reservation and you also got 25 dishes, and you left feeling full & happy. Overall, the experience is fine my only recommendation is that restaurant makes me clearer that the deposit does not cover the actual dining experience.

Visited a year ago

A fantastic experience through and through!

Visited a year ago

We made reservations for Christmas Eve dinner and mentioned very specifically that it was also a birthday. Not only were we seated in the corner at the very end near the entrance with everyone walking past us, but there were no accommodations or even anything mentioned for the birthday. Somehow the food was good but nothing was memorable. It was just high-end sushi. But considering that this was a 23 course meal, the pieces of sushi are tiny and I have never been not full after an omakase experience. I literally was hungry again by the time I got home. Maybe the terrible experience I had diluted my memory of the food with negative emotions. We also made the reservation through Tock and they specified that it would be 215 dollars per person. Somehow our bill came out to be 700 even with the 205 dollar reservation fee that I had put down. For a high end Michelin one star omakase, this was an absolute disappointment. Food was good but with all these factors, how could anyone say that this met Michelin standards in any way? Absolutely disgusted with my experience here.

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

Incredible experience. I have been to several omakases in Chicago and this is the best. Although it was the most expensive, it was well worth it. There were 3 chefs preparing each dish - ours was named Max and he was brilliant. Each dish was meticulously crafted. The dishes were amazing - I never knew food could taste that delicious and complex. I can't even describe the tastes... except that it was amazing. The servers explained each dish in detail and even provided instructions on how to eat the dish.

I can't recommend Mako enough.

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

Visited a year ago

BK is one of Chicagos most creative chiefs

Visited a year ago

Lovely experience. Highly recommend the wine and sake pairing.

Visited 2 years ago

This was an incredible experience I’d recommend to anyone wants to try a Michelin omakase.

Came here with 8 of my friends for an incredible amount of 16 rounds of sushi with the sake/wine pairing. Everything paired perfectly, the courses were not just tasty but also adventurous with unique items you don’t normally get in an omakase. All of us had an incredible time drinking beautifully paired white wines and sakes with perfectly and masterfully prepared sushi.

This is a 10/10 experience I’d recommend to anyone who wants to try omakase with or without friends, date night? Fine dining experience? It’s all here, affordable and incredibly tasteful!

Thank you to the team and the chefs for an experience to remember!

Visited 2 years ago

Tiny nigiri (check the photos, they are half the size of nigiri that you would get at other places) and a few unimpressive dishes. Left feeling hungry and disappointed.

Visited 2 years ago

We went to Mako for the Omakase experience, and both did the wine / sake pairing. We came for our 5 year wedding anniversary, and the chefs and staff were kind enough to give us a little gift, our menu for the day folded into an envelope with happy anniversary and signatures from everyone at the restaurant, I start here to share how attentive and incredible the service was, the staff was also extremely knowledgeable, our host was Robin, and he knew every little detail about the food and drink pairing, the origins, how it was sourced or made, and even made some on the fly changes to ensure the perfect pairing and glass all went with each dish, especially as the menu changed a couple times during the experience. The food however, was out of this world amazing…. Truly the most incredible dining experience we’ve ever had, the food was incredible!! The smoked black cod, the amber Jack , the a5 wagyu that was shipped with a certificate of authenticity… everything was better than we could have ever imagined.

Visited 2 years ago

Service was awful, chef didn’t really explain the dish only they are shy we were told. Food wasn’t great. I cannot believe this is micheline star. Next time I’ll just go Popeyes and buy a fish sandwich

Visited 2 years ago

I think I can attest for the many 1 star and 2 star reviewers that this restaurant is awful. The only saving grace was the ambience. I think they are racist, liars and scammers. They will also offer you courtesy meal and charge you for it, why call it a courtesy? That’s lying and scamming on all levels. I do not recommend

Visited 2 years ago

In my life I’ve never been forced through a meal so fast. Restaurant was half fulll. In such a rush they pured drinks into already half full glasses, asked us to eat faster and gave us the bill before the last course. Food was great, but website says it might take 3 hours. We were forced out in 1 hr and 40 min. Told they needed to reseat table. For price, this isn’t a place ready for prime time.

Good part, we went out for Mexican after because food was so small we were hungry after.

Visited 2 years ago

Amazing Omakase!!

Visited 2 years ago

Came here for the omakase dinner. The assortment of sushi was good, although nothing truly memorable and bites were particularly small (even for a tasting).
Service needs a bit more attention, greeting customers upon entry, creating a more welcoming experience, being thoughtful to pour wine and wipe down the table between courses would be encouraged.
The space is beautiful but I would much rather have sat at the bar; the space was also extremely cold and didn't change much even after asking staff.
Probably ok to skip this one.

Visited 2 years ago

A pleasant experience, everything was prepared beautifully. The attention to detail on all parts of the experience really made it great

Visited 2 years ago

Skinny pieces of nigiri. Can’t believe this place has two stars lol

Visited 2 years ago

This was our first Michelin star restaurant experience. We went for our anniversary and were not disappointed in the least. The staff was kind and answered any questions that we had during the dinner. All of the fish cuts were tender and flavorful, the chef made some really thoughtful flavor combos to bring out the best qualities of the dishes. The entire experience was close to 2 hours long, I say experience because this was more than just a dinner. My only warning is that the bathroom is not labeled so be sure to ask the server which door is the correct one lol that and figuring out how the bathroom sink works.

Visited 2 years ago

Well balanced menu and quality items. It is nice to talk to the chef over the bar.

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Amazing all around! If Chicago never got another omakase restaurant that would be totally fine because given what I experienced at Mako, any other current or future attempt at omakase in this city should be considered a pitiful and unnecessary waste of precious resources. The fish was spectacular and the room itself was awesome - the hip hop soundtrack in the background was an especially enjoyable surprise. Long live Mako!

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

I think the biggest disconnect was the gap between the pricing vs. the actual food quality. The food was good, but not the level you would expect at an Omakase at this price point. Additionally, the atmosphere was also a bit chaotic - I think there’s too many servers walking around.

Visited 2 years ago

PÉSIMA EXPERIENCIA EN MAKO.
Triste experiencia de principio a fin: la puerta gris del ingreso pesa tanto que no podíamos abrirla y quien nos abrió fue un amable comensal, porque el personal ni cuenta se dió. Por otra parte, desde la reserva en línea, solicitamos mesa y no barra, sin embargo al llegar no nos tenían mesa, y lo peor, ni siquiera nos dieron opciones de elegir el lugar de la barra. El servicio bastante lento, tuvimos que pedir una cerveza porque nadie se acercó a ofrecernos algo para tomar en lo que iniciaba el omakase. Mi esposo y yo hemos estado en varios Michelin y jamás habíamos tenido una experiencia así .
Los precios son exorbitantes para lo que ofrecen, que es bueno, pero no excepcional como debiera. No cabe duda que vivimos en un mundo con métricas poco justas, conozco muchos mejores japoneses sin estrellas aparentes.
En suma: No recomendamos nada a Mako. Un Michelin debería ser garantía de algo espectacular de principio a fin y de manera integral, y este, no es el caso.

Visited 2 years ago

Service at Mako is excellent. We were stuck on a plane for 45 minutes and then traffic took about 2 hours to get from the airport to West Loop. Luckily we were only 6 min late and the staff was very accommodating and did not rush us to get drinks.

The meal was very good. I would say it's oriented more towards the American palate, with more rich dishes and less of the traditional, unique cuts (something I prefer). Regardless, it was a unique experience. We enjoyed a beverage pairing as well. Some pairings were a little bit of a stretch, but overall decent.

I'm glad we dined here! There's a reason this restaurant has gained recognition as one of the better omakases in Chicago.

Visited 2 years ago

Born and living in Tokyo downtwon *Shitamachi* Japan, the Spirit of edomae sushi is simply how to prepare and make shari. Fish quality here is fair to very good (aji and saba were very good). But how shari rice was made here, including textures (hardness or softness of rice), temperature, white vinegar taste were less than acceptable once putting in my mouth. Also I ordered green tea and I was charged for $22! Overall meal was $280. I think sushi chefs need to study more how to prepare edomae shari. Again shari is the most important component of edomae tradition and taste.

Visited 2 years ago

❤️❤️❤️ soooo good. service was so lovely, brought my mom here for her birthday and the staff went above and beyond.

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

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Visited 2 years ago

I had a reservation for three at Mako in April 2022, to celebrate the birthday of a friend. Embarrassingly, I slept through it after spending the day at a bar. Luckily, my cousin made it to the restaurant for dinner with my friend.

I was visiting Chicago, again, in February 2023, and resolved to make things up with my friend, this time, with my wife. Thankfully, Mako did not disappoint.

We sat at the sushi bar, but our interaction with the chef was minimal. Most of the service, including explanations of the courses and the beverage pairings, were handled by a host.

The presentation of the courses is beautiful. My friend, who was on his third visit to Mako, told me that they hadn't changed very much over the preceding 10 months.

To me, there were two notable things about our meal. First, I realized that a very American twist on sushi is the use of smoke. The Kaiso Salad included smoked trout roe, which was delicious. Second, the Shirakawago awanigori (sparkling, unfiltered sake) beverage pairing was new to me. Although my family frequently enjoys nigori (unfiltered) sake, I had never tried a sparkling one before. It's terrific.

While Mako definitely deserves five stars, I must say that I prefer the omekase at Sushi Nakazawa in Washington, DC. However, that's purely a matter of personal preference.

Visited 2 years ago

I had an amazing experience at Mako. The presentation and quality of everything I ate was out of this world. This restaurant truly deserves its Michelin Star. Our sommelier was so professionally and his enchanting descriptions put us right in the mood for a wonderfully evening. The ambience was incredible and I really enjoyed watching the chefs prepare each meal with great skill.The dishes I had here were some of the most beautiful dishes I have ever had. I will definitely recommend this restaurant to all my friends and family.

Visited 2 years ago

For the price of the experience I would say this was an inefficient meal. My other Omakase experiences were on average a star or two better for half or a third the cost as Mako. The starting dish was barely noteworthy and that was a consistent experience. The lows were too low and the highs weren't high enough.

Did I have a good time? Yes. Was the sushi prepared perfectly? Yes. Was it worth the half grand not including the wine and sake pairing? No. The food was great but not unreal, the selection was diverse but not exotic, the flavors were well executed but not bold or memorable. Several items felt phoned in and the average piece was only slightly better than what you could get at a quality sushi restaurant.

I believe omakase meals should feel like they were prepared by a dedicated team, that the menu is seasonal and yet uniquely expressive, and that it should offer experiences that would be impossible to replicate at home or at your favorite spot. This was not that I'm sad to say, and it was one of the more expensive options I've tried. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone at their current price.

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

My husband and I came here for our anniversary yesterday and had a great experience. The service is top notch and the food quality is excellent. We had a reservation and were immediately seated without having to wait. Everything was extremely fresh and prepared right in front of us. The uni and temaki hand rolls were the best I’ve ever had - so creamy and flavorful. The black miso cod was also spectacular. At the end we received a copy of the night’s menu with signatures from the staff and “Happy Anniversary“ written at the top. Very thoughtful touch :)

Visited 2 years ago

I was disappointed. Service and attention to detail was great, but overall food is not what the hype represents.

Visited 2 years ago

Probably a bit overhyped but overall I suppose it is a decent restaurant. If anyone is going there for the purposes of an Omakase, this place is not really that. But they otherwise have some decent Japanese small plates. The service was not of a Michelin restaurant as we poured our own wine several times in front of three idle staff members. Generally speaking I found the restaurant to be good not great. Will not be going back

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

One of the best meals of my life and certainly worth a special trip. The Pacing was so perfect. Everything was perfect. Highly highly highly recommend. Beer from Japan was godlike.

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

The ingredients were fresh, but the rice was so-so, and the chef didn't chat with us.

Visited 2 years ago

The dinner omokase was exceptional! This is a restaurant that takes artistry of cuisine to the next level. Simple and beautiful! I wouldn’t try Mako if you prefer dim lights, loud music, and trendiness. If you’re looking for outstanding sushi prepared artfully, then it doesn’t get better than this.
The service was impeccable and personalized. We sincerely appreciate Robin and Angelica for helping make our experience unforgettable. We even got a sweet message for our anniversary! We will definitely be back many times more.

Visited 2 years ago

Upscale omakase. If you’re serious about sushi a must if in Chitown. Worth the Michelin star.

Visited 2 years ago

Sushi of the highest quality served alongside some very creative dishes.

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Best fancy sushi in Chicago

Visited 2 years ago

The restaurant is clean. Chefs are super friendly as well as the staff.
The only two things that I would vote to change are:
1- less rice
2- the whole experience lasted an hour and 20 mins. Once we finished the food, they brought us our jackets, which felt odd because we were still finishing our drinks

All in all the experience was good and food was also good

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Spectacular meal here. The fish selection is wildly varied and all fresh and flavorful. I had multiple deeper experiences tasting a few of the bites and a straight up Anton ratatouille moment eating the dessert we were served. Staff was wonderful and attentive and the drink selections are well thought out and satisfying. We will 100% be back soon!

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Mako owns its reputation as a Michelin star restaurant! The chef's table offered both exquisite food and a phenomenal show by the chef. Each bit of food was a joy and appropriately combined flavor, texture and temperature. Each course was delicious and delicately prepared and then served with precision and expertise.
The ambiance was that of sophistication, professionalism and resonated with the power of the chef. As a ~NYE day, it felt intimate and exciting.
If you want high end seafood and are willing to pay for it, Mako is a must go! (You need reservations well in advance!!).

Visited 2 years ago

Wow, that's all I have to say about this place. Very likely the best meal I have ever had in my life.

Don't get me wrong, also very likely one of the most expensive, but I'd say the atmosphere, the presentation, and mostly the food all make this very worth the ~$400 per person that was spent.

To start with, the atmosphere is a quiet, tranquil, and thoughtfully limited space. As they only allow a certain number of diners in at a time, it makes the experience much more intimate. I had the 22 course tasting menu with the wine pairing, which is really more of a drink pairing as you get 16 different drinks, including sake, Japanese whiskey, a cocktail, and then lots of wine.

The size of the dishes worried me at first, as they're all quite small, and I eat a lot. However, after 22 courses, with a couple more substantially sized ones, and 16 drinks, I left feeling very satisfied but not disgustingly full.

So far I've checked off about ~10 Michelin star restaurants, and I think Mako is still one of my favorites for really setting itself apart and making me FEEL like I was at a restaurant that was a cut above the rest and worth the pricetag. Literally no aspect of this 2-3hr experience disappointed

Visited 2 years ago

Encantada con esta experiencia tan placentera. Pienso prontamente volver a Mako.

Visited 2 years ago

My husband and I do not eat very much, however we left hungry after shelling out $$$$ (right under 1G) for this experience. We were very much disappointed. Especially after researching and reading reviews to figure out where we wanted to go that would be worth while in every aspect. Total let down. Imo, there are other omakase restaurants out there with food and service just as great if not better. Honestly not sure how this restaurant received a Michelin star rating. It was very underwhelming.
The upside, every plate is presented beautifully. The food was delicious (but you get very little of it). The waitstaff was knowledgeable. The music was good Even after all of that it was still not worth what we spent, would not return or recommend.

Visited 2 years ago

Remarkable experience. The drinks were incredible. The service was perfect. The food was delicious. Fairly good course order. The fish was perfectly fresh, and were flavorful in ways I haven’t experienced with previous tastings of those cuts. The cooked dishes were awe inspiring. The presentation was exciting and fun. The environment was relaxing and simple. Of course there is more to say when comparing to the wider market of omakase and fine dining, but this is a better omakase experience than most, simply put. You will not be disappointed. Keep in mind that the cost will be high. Over $100 a head, to substantially more if you decide to go through the courses again or try their incredible drinks or take more sushi a la carte.

Visited 2 years ago

Experience a sublime multi-course feast at Mako, a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant in Chicago’s Fulton Market. Omakase is the revered tradition of ceding all menu decisions to the chef, who picks the finest available seasonal ingredients. The dining room is sleek and minimalistic. Make sure you reserve your seats at the sushi bar, where you can watch the three chefs expertly prepare the dishes.

We dined on a wide array of sushi and sashimi, including monkfish liver, abalone, bluefin tuna, amberjack, shark skin flounder, and Japanese barracuda. We also had wagyu beef and kakuni pork.

The wine pairing with each course was creative and sourced from around the world, including three markedly different types of sake. My favorite wine was the Austrian meinklang Weisser Mulatschak, a murky white wine with a huge floral bouquet and a refreshingly tart taste.

Visited 2 years ago

First time trying omakase, for sure it won't be the last one.
Starting from the atmosphere as soon as you step in front of the door, not even inside yet, and going through the welcoming staff (Robin was outstanding for the whole service) and the care put in every dish that was served to us, only 5 stars can describe the whole evening. Highly recommended and for sure it will be a stop when we come back to the city from SoCal.

Visited 2 years ago

It pains me to give 1 star, but I vomited 2 hours after eating here with symptoms of food poisoning. I eat sushi and raw fish often without problems so I was shocked how horribly I got sick after eating here. I do not recommend this restaurant.

Visited 2 years ago

Diverse dishes, fresh food, delicate design, comfortable environment, good experience.

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

I’ve been to just about all fancy Omakase sushi spots in Chicago and this one is definitely the best when it comes to food. There was no single dish that I didn’t like and the atmosphere is nice and peaceful. Thanks for the great meal!

Service is great and I’d hope potential visitors are not discouraged by the review few months prior to mine complaining that they don’t explain dishes in detail or that they wouldn’t be knowledgeable about the food they serve. The chefs for sure know the fish they’re serving and the explanations are likely short because the dishes are relatively simple but extremely high quality. I don’t know what kind of story would someone like to hear about their slice of bluefin tuna but I was here to eat and not to listen bedtime stories… 🤣

Japanese make some pretty awesome beers and only thing I’d recommend for these guys is to get some goodies from there beyond Sapporo on the menu.

Visited 2 years ago

I can say it is no doubt Mako is providing the high quality of sushi. Atmosphere is also very good. Also combination of sushi and "tsumami" is also very good. I wonder why there is no flounder among nigiri if they charge this price. Nigiri is too small. Sushi neta(fish) and rice should be a bit bigger, at least sushi neta. Green tea(Gyokuro) was $22. This is way too much because I buy 100g tea(gyokuro) for $20.

Visited 2 years ago

This was an amazing experience. I would highly recommend the sake and wine pairing for the courses! Truly one of my favorite dining experiences, filled with some of the most delicious bites of food I've ever had. A top notch one Michelin star affair. (It can be very hard to find if you're not attentive- only drawback)

Visited 2 years ago

My husband and I had a phenomenal dining experience here. I am impressed with their really good sashimi selections. Besides all the sashimis&wagyu, I especially loved the first three courses came in a tray, and the pork belly which instantly melted in my mouth, and the mochi cake dessert. The one course contained an oyster piece, the oyster smelt was the only one thing I’d like to mention. On top of all, service was excellent.

Visited 2 years ago

Food was amazing. I enjoyed the ambiance and the bar experience. The chef assigned to our area was very skilled and built good rapport with us. The sake pairing is a must, I super loved their selection!

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

It was a good Omakase experience, very exclusive with excellent offerings. I was able to snag a seat last minute which was nice. With all of this of course comes a steep price. Was expecting to be a bit more fuller when I left. At those prices I did not want to order additional fish, à la carte.

Visited 2 years ago

Great date night spot. I highly recommend the wine and sake pairing.

Visited 2 years ago

One word to summarize our experience? Perfection. I surprised my wife by taking her here for her birthday and it couldn’t have turned out any better. We got to try some new things for the first time even though we’ve sat at numerous omakases. Each piece came out at a good pace. Enough time to enjoy and talk about how amazing each bite was, but not dragged out where we were left wondering when the next thing was coming. Most of the plates were mainly traditional with most of the pieces served as nigiri, but they also brought out some really playful dishes that were instagram-worthy. After the last plate came out they gave my wife the menu signed by all of the staff with a happy birthday message. This experience is definitely up there with the best omasake experiences we’ve ever sat for.

There are two seatings per night and each seating lasts about 90 minutes. There’s no dedicated parking as expected and the place can be hard to find. Look for a nondescript bronze colored door. The door has the word Mako on it, but it’s really hard to see. You’ll need to really pay attention to find it. Reservations are a must which is simple to complete through their website. You’ll need to deposit half of the cost up front.

Visited 2 years ago

Excellent restaurant with fresh ingredients, lovely staff, a beautiful beverage pairing , and amazing flavors. I’d recommend it 100%.

Visited 2 years ago

Fish is very fresh. Love the presentation

Visited 2 years ago

By far one of the best food experiences my wife and I have experienced so far. Which is saying a lot considering we’ve been to quite a few Michelin restaurants worldwide. Everything about this place was flawless. The flavors were perfectly balanced and the display was absolutely stunning. You really can tell the staff and chef’s really love what they do. Cheers to the next star as you definitely have earned it!

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Great experience. Every dish was delicious!

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 2 years ago

Visited 3 years ago

We loved meal here. It was very intimate setting with great service. I am not a sushi fan but my husband insisted we go here. It was delicious. My favorite was the cod but everything was awesome. I also loved the jasmine tea my server recommended.

Visited 3 years ago

Mako consistently delivers on an exceptional experience blending old world traditional sushi with new world modern touches.

Visited 3 years ago

Tremendous. Perfect dining.

Visited 3 years ago

What a great experience and the best tasting sushi and fish I’ve ever had. The outside is very hidden, we walked past it trying to find the restaurant. The ambiance inside is very intimate from the lighting, art work, to the seating, there are only a few dining seats and bar seating options available. I personally enjoyed the sushi bar seating because you could watch the sushi chefs prepare the sushi right in front of you. The menu was perfectly curated, you didn’t feel rushed and the food came out in a very relaxed fashion. The hostess, servers, and chefs were all wonderful and very attentive. The fish quality was amazing, some pieces just melted in your mouth. My favorite was the A5 wagyu beef and fatty tube nigiri. I would definitely come back for this exceptional experience.

Visited 3 years ago

I like their food. However, I told the restaurant when I made the reservation that I will celebrate my birthday, their is no wish for me. I saw the previous comments there is a small blackboard for wish. Also, I saw other customers has an envelope after the meal, I didn’t get it. Those makes me feel upset.

Visited 3 years ago

Great experience!

Visited 3 years ago

Absolutely spectacular! I was in Chicago for two nights and had accidentally booked my reservation the day after I would be leaving. The lovely staff and head chef however were able to accommodate me and the food was spectacular. I strongly recommend the wine/sake pairing as well.

Visited 3 years ago

$10/minute…very disappointed…fish was underwhelming and a couple pieces were fishy…server said “the green stuff?” when pointing to wasabi…this place tries too hard and should focus on the food taste and quality over service…service was of a higher level but a bit too much and not at $700 for 2 people…there is much better fish in Chicago…start with great fish before you go over the top with ambiance and service attention. 2 stars is because of price, food taste/quality…gave them the second star because they tried with the service … never seen fish sliced that thin …why?! I’d be happy to remove this review if you can do better.

Visited 3 years ago

Visited 3 years ago

Visited 3 years ago

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Visited 3 years ago

Some of the best sushi I've ever had in my life!! Presentation was on point, service was amazing, great modern and elegant ambiance. They definitely earned their Michelin Star! It was definitely worth the money for me. I left full but not stuffed. I'd love to come back sometime.

Visited 3 years ago

Visited 3 years ago

Absolutely amazing, you get what you pay for in food, vibe, and service. On the wine pairings: I felt most of the pairings were pretty good, even when I didn't love the actual drink but I'm not particularly into alcohol. I did really enjoy the tea my friend ordered, for me it was even better than most of the wine/sake (but again I'm no connoisseur in that area)

Visited 3 years ago

This is a fun omakase dining experience, but don’t expect it to be intimate or personalized or to feel traditional if that’s what you’re looking for. We were excited to try this, having had sushi and omakase dinners at Juno in the past.

The location and atmosphere were unexpected; bright lights, loud music, and a certain hectic energy were the first things we noticed upon entering through the painted plywood framed door.

Each course was pretty good and some were even great, but there was little description or opportunity to ask questions, despite several servers running plates to guests. The sushi chefs were excellent. Some of the dishes from the kitchen were odd, like the room temperature raw oyster. Perhaps it was meant to be served that way, but without being prepared for it, we were thrown.

Overall, an interesting experience, but I don’t think we’d spend $700+ for this again.

Visited 3 years ago

I’ve been to several tasting menus and this one is below average. Portions are tiny for an omakase. Super thin nigri. Service is disappointing. Not worth the price. Skip this place and go to Omakase Yume or Sushi suite.

Visited 3 years ago

What a disappointment! Not sure why or how this place got a michelin star but it sure as heck is not deserving of it. Even after a 17-course meal, and almost a G out of pocket, we were still hungry and eventually ended up at McDonald’s to curb the hunger. We’ve been to several restaurants globally for tasting menus and NEVER have we left hungry. Mako has so far been the exception. Each course is a tiny half-bite of sushi or sashimi—some of which were really nothing special. There were, however, some pieces that absolutely melted in your mouth—they had a fish from Scotland that was so well-paired with other flavors, but I’d say overall, we liked 3 of the 17 courses. Anywhere you go, a score of 18% would be considered a fail.

Not only was the food abysmal, the service was low key a let down. The server would bring the dishes to our table, drop them off, and simply walk away. No explanation was ever provided beyond “this is bluefin tuna” (which by the way, was on a little menu paper they gave us). I want to know, how is it prepared? What other ingredients are involved? Is there a specific way to enjoy this course? Nothing. Our server wasn’t knowledgeable about sushi beyond that which was on the menu, and even then she couldn’t answer questions beyond that which she has likely memorized. If you’re paying over $250 per head, you expect service that is knowledgeable, informative, and efficient. The service here was none of the above. We came to celebrate a birthday and felt like we made a mistake doing so. It was truly a disappointing and sad experience.

Visited 3 years ago

My girlfriend and I had an amazing time dining here. It was an experience neither of us will ever forget. The quality of the fish and other offerings were unreal and Mako staff was extremely accommodating with me having Celiac. All of the staff were top notch and really helped make it a special night. This was our first time going to a Michelin star restaurant and we were in no way disappointed. If you enjoy sushi and are in Chicago Mako is a must try establishment!

Visited 3 years ago

Visited 3 years ago

The sushi was fantastic, so were the drinks. Totally worth it.

Visited 3 years ago

Very nice the fact the ngiri preparation is done just in front of the guests. The chefs cut the fish and then assemble the ngiri with lukewarm rice and give it straight to you.

Visited 3 years ago

Tasting and beverage pairing. 2nd time here. Experience was elevated since 1st time.

Visited 3 years ago

Best Sushi I’ve had outside of Japan. We sat at the counter and had a lovely few hours. Every bite was delicious and interesting. It’s not cheap, but if you’re a sushi fan it’s a must try omakase spot.

Visited 3 years ago

Believe the hype. Five star top to bottom.

Visited 3 years ago

walked into the very nondescript west loop location, trembling with excitement as the scent of divine sushi overtook me. I was expecting a grand dining room, but the entire experience is very small and intimate. My girlfriend and I sat at the sushi bar, where were served one tantalizing course after another. The presentation of each course was out of this world; just as much of an artistic experience as a gastronomic experience. The sushi MASTERS were extremely elegant in their preparation and delivery of each piece. Will definitely be back!

Visited 3 years ago

Food is pretty. Photos look good at instagram. That is all. 80% of dishes are sushi. Do you know what is most important for sushi? That is rice. And unfortunately, they do not really know how to cook rice. Besides, chefs are very frugal about fish. fish is cut extremely thin. You can barely taste it.

I do not know why this place could earn a michelin star. Do not waste your money. I will not return. I gave two stars, one for the interior design, one for the service.

Visited 3 years ago

Loved the experience, best sushi I’ve had

Visited 3 years ago

Visited 3 years ago

My girlfriend and I had the privilege to experience mako last night (2/20/22). I had been extremely excited since making the reservation and was getting nervous that my excitement could possibly be setting the bar too high for what was to come. I’m happy to say I’ve never been more wrong in my life. MAKO was everything I imagined and more, surpassing my expectations and leaving my self and my date in awe the entire time. From beginning to end the orchestration from the chefs, to the servers, to the tables was perfect. The platings were beautiful and the flavors were unexplainable. The burnt scallion ponzu is perhaps the best thing I have ever tasted(my mouth is watering the next day thinking about it). The freshness of the nigiri and the sashimi was out of this world. At the end of the course, all I could feel was complete. I didn’t expect more, I wouldn’t want it to be any less. Taking everything into account, I can’t think of any rating to give to MAKO besides 5/5. If you enjoy Japanese cuisine this is a MUST experience. Even if you don’t enjoy Japanese cuisine, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much of a difference quality ingredients make. Thank you to chef BK and the entire team for providing us with an amazing experience.

Visited 3 years ago

Visited 3 years ago

Visited 3 years ago

Exceptional every step of the way

Visited 3 years ago

Visited 3 years ago

The quality of food isn't there to match the price. The presentation and atmosphere is all very lovely, however I was very disappointed by the wine pairings that didn't work well with the food, and the lack of freshness and taste in the dishes.

The cuts of fish in my sashimi was not good. You can see the tough scales on the fish on the chunky piece and the salmon didn't have that high level of freshness to it that I get in some more authentic sushi restaurants.

I'd say this place is great if you want to impress a date but not a place to hit up if you want the full fine dining experience.

Visited 3 years ago

Visited 3 years ago

Visited 3 years ago

Everything was fantastic, fish was fresh and melted in the mouth. All the sauces were good with nigiri but the omakase nigiri was too small pieces.

Visited 3 years ago

Visited 3 years ago

Wow! This place is amazing! Wonderful sushi. Gotta try it.

Visited 3 years ago

Honestly I missed indoor omakase. The decorations in here are beautiful. The music was awesome chill hip hop/rnb. The servers were kind and not disruptive. The drink pairing included wine and sake (10 drinks for $85pp). The presentations were beautiful and the flavors were amazing with the small plates. The nigiri was mostly about the texture and flavor of the fish rather than the garnishing.

Visited 4 years ago

Phenomenal ambiance, sushi presentation and quality. We were blown away by the level of detail in each dish and how flavorful it was. Highly recommend if you're in Chicago!

Visited 4 years ago

Omakaze taken to a new level every detail is a 10 the food shows chef BK range and palate is the gold standard in Chicago. Have been may times and will Continue to return

Visited 4 years ago

Nice clean restaurant with great quality of ingredients for omakase. But size of nigiri is way too small during the course and overall amount of food that’s being served is not enough for what you pay for. Never have I left hungry from omakase or chef tasting in NY and in Chicago before.

Visited 4 years ago

Visited 4 years ago

Amazing!

Visited 4 years ago

Visited 4 years ago

Outstanding ! Is a well deserved Michelin star restaurant.

Visited 4 years ago

Amazing is an understatement!

Visited 4 years ago