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Name: Kyoto Sushi Restaurant
Address: 2534 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614
Telephone: (773) 477-2788
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.84

Kyoto Sushi Restaurant

2534 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614

(773) 477-2788
Store is closed

Kyoto Sushi Restaurant Menu

Starters

Ahi Flatbread

Ahi-poke

Dynamite Aptzr

Eight Ball
Cold Appetizers

Goma Ae

Hiya Yakko

House Salad

Seaweed Salad
Sushi Or Sashimi

Anago

Albacore

Maguro

Masago
Kyoto Signature Rolls

Creamy*

Crunch Salmon Maki

Dynamite Maki*

Fiesta Maki
Veggie Rolls

Asparagus Maki*

Aac Maki*

Avocado Maki*

Futo Maki*

Healthy Meal suggestions for Kyoto Sushi Restaurant

Starters

Ahi Flatbread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ahi-poke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dynamite Aptzr [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eight Ball [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Cold Appetizers

Goma Ae [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hiya Yakko [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seaweed Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sushi Or Sashimi

Anago [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Albacore [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maguro [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Masago [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Kyoto Signature Rolls

Creamy* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crunch Salmon Maki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dynamite Maki* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fiesta Maki [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Veggie Rolls

Asparagus Maki* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Aac Maki* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado Maki* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Futo Maki* [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

c d.

Kyoto is one of our favorite sushi places, and is reasonably priced and BYOB as a bonus. Free parking in back too! Reservations on Friday and Saturday is recommended, it gets crowded. The service is excellent, our waitress was excellent at make recommendations. They always have delicious and unique specials, it is easy just to order those. Some rolls worth considering. Snowball, which was by far everyone's favorite. The super white tuna was delicious. This is a great combo of flavor Fireball, another favorite, good flavor and spice Negi Hamachi, from the menu description yellow tail and scallions) it would be easy to pass over and boring and simple. It is truly delicious and a perfect roll to balance if you are having spicy rolls. Caterpillar, similar to a dragon roll however it is wrapped in avocado rather then seaweed. Fiesta, which was my least favorite. Kyoto, excellent with just the right spice Orange Sunshine, very rich and not too sweet. A unique and tasty roll.
(5)
Chris L.

Good solid sushi
(4)
Marie B.

This place is way more than I would have ever expected from the outside. We splurged on some specialty rolls, and they were well worth it. The two standouts by far were the snowball and the creamy roll. Our server recommended both to be eaten without soy. As I tend to use more soy than most people when eating sushi, I was a little wary of doing this. However, the snowball was amazing with no soy. The creamy roll, in my opinion, was best when just one end was slightly dipped in soy. The fact that this place is BYOB is another bonus. I'd much rather spend my money on excellent sushi than overpriced wine. I will definitely be coming back for more!
(5)
Ben S.

Surprised I have not reviewed, probably b/c picking up from there so often. My experience has always been positive. The basics are good and there is a concerted effort to innovate.
(4)
Christine K.

Love love love this place. A friend of mine raved about how great the sushi chefs were here. He's been following these guys since he first tasted their sushi at another restaurant. He was right, these guys are amazing. Melvin & Carlos know how to please the tastebuds. I can't recommend specific dishes...the times I've gone there, we left the menu up to Melvin & Carlos. But everything that was brought to our table was amazing! It's byob so even better. and if you love the chefs' creations, be sure to invite them over for a saki shot :)
(5)
Jayson C.

Under new management and renovations, this place has become one of the hidden gems of Lincoln Park! Their sushi is absolutely amazing. The chef is very artistic and it definitely shows with his culinary skills. So many types of dishes infused with different flavors that leaves you speechless. And the best part, the prices are cheap! Where can you find premier Maki rolls for under $10?!? I felt like I needed to pay more for what they had listed. If I had to find one bad thing about this place, it would be the lack of liquor license. Although, corking is allowed which makes up for it. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone! Great restaurant!
(4)
Mark S.

Short and to the point: the snowball rolls are phenomenal. Only $10 for 6 rolls and they couldn't have been better. Make sure to get them "spicy".
(5)
Bill Z.

Just five doors from my Lill home to this wonderful place. I was going here since opening under old management. But new folks did a good redo job of the place - even with a private dining room. More creative chef now and friendly owners and servers who remember my name. I usually put myself in the hands of chef who puts together a multi-small-bite meal that takes some time but wow it is worth it, I am mostly a lunch person -- so I visit on Sat. or Sun. A cool bottle of white wine goes well with the food. This place is a gem on Lincoln Avenue too full of 20 something drinking holes and hot wings places.
(5)
Chi N.

This is still the best sushi place I have tried in Chicago. Their fish is always super, super fresh and their servers are always good. Kyoto is a place that knows how to show appreciation for their regulars. Enjoy...!
(5)
Heajung L.

My bf & I recently ventured here because of a Groupon. Overall, our experience wasn't terrible, but I was definitely not impressed. Their sushi was less-than-stellar in terms of quality, presentation, and taste. In fact, this is the first sushi restaurant I've ever eaten at where I felt the rolls were bland and (the presentation) sloppy.
(2)
Barbara D.

Tatefully Simple...that's how I would describe it. The restaurant has wonderful fancy decor, the service was excellent, the sushi choices were plain but good. I had the sashimi appetizer which was delicious and the special Fireball roll, which was also good. My only complaint was that their sushi choices were very standard. Small menu with no thrills, no special extras...and it's BYOB but I was really craving a martini.
(3)
S K.

Great food! Good service. Sushi boats were the way to go. I went with 4 people so it was more cost efficient to get a the sushi boats and best way to try a variety of sushi.
(4)
Erica T.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every single roll that was brought out was amazing, and all 5 of my other friends thought so as well. My favorite was the Dynamite, but I am on a mission to try every roll on their menu. I am so picky when it comes to sushi, and this has been by far the best I've had, and the price is average. The thing I like about this place is it's BYOB, so you save money on the bill anyways with the cost of alcohol. HIGHLY reccommended
(5)
Milena M.

After looking at the other reviews, my experience was the opposite. The sushi did not taste fresh and the soup tasted old. I can't say much more for the vegetables. The best thing about dinner was the guy on tv who was eating a hamburger with the world's spiciest hot pepper.
(2)
Alex A.

I can't review the food because we were never seated. This review is only about the service. I had a groupon that was about to expire, so my husband and I decided to try it out. I made the mistake of not making reservations, so we were told there was a 45-minute wait. They took our phone number and told us they will call when a table is ready. We stayed in the area, but after an hour went by, we weren't called. I didn't want to wait any longer, so we went to a local restaurant and ordered appetizers. When another half hour went by and we didn't receive a call, we decided to eat where we were. A few days later, the coupon expired. I still wanted to give them a shot, so I called them and asked if they can extend the groupon since we actually WERE there prior to the expiration date. However the girl who answered the phone told me that sometimes they get too busy and can't always seat everyone, and told me NO they could not honor our groupon. I spoke to a manager and received the same answer. I went back and forth with him several times, and he finally agreed that he would discount me the $15 I paid for the groupon, but would NOT honor the value of the groupon. Needless to say, we didn't go back.
(2)
johnny b.

Yeah one of the better sushi places i've been to in chicago. Had to wait for 15mins longer than they said for carryout but never judge resturants on that. Stuff happens. Sushi was good. Better than all the places on southport.
(4)
Stephen D.

Best sushi in Chicago...so far. We have been trying to replace our favorite sushi restaurant since we left Florida and have tried several since we moved here. This is the place! The rolls are outstanding! We didn't try the creamy roll as it was $16! We did try several of the specials. The tuna tataki was so-so. The snowball was unreal. I give 5 stars to any restaurant that uses truffle oil and this place puts it on friggin super white tuna??? I'm on that like the last piece of cake. It was as good or better than expected. I don't understand the 3 star reviews on here for this place. Honestly I think people over-critique places because they feel like they have to write a review on yelp afterwards. The service was awesome, food even better, and BYOB to boot. You've got my business Kyoto.
(5)
christine c.

this place was good, but not the best. i'm only giving it a 4 b/c it's the best so far in chicago otherwise overall i'd give it a 3. the only thing i'd note is that the tempura is weird... they don't use traditional batter but it's more like fish&chips batter so i could taste all the oil in my mouth and while it was super crunchy, the lingering oil was just nasty so i couldn't finish the tempura i also go the dragon roll - the shrimp tempura wasn't as noticeable there (the oily taste that is) but overall this place is pretty decent and reasonably priced as well. my bf got the sushi platter or whatever they call it for $23 and i think it had about 21 slices of sashimi which was pretty fresh also. i'd definitely go back
(4)
Anya F.

The service was fantastic, the sushi was really fresh and delicious (and I say this having eaten a lot of sushi in Japan!) And the atmosphere was cozy and friendly! I would definitely come again.
(4)
Cathy H.

Given the really high reviews, I was disappointed by my experience. I headed in on a Friday night at 7:15, without a reservation. The hostess told us it'd be about half an hour to forty-five minute wait, so we left our number (as she suggested), and wandered around the neighborhood. When we came back, a couple who'd arrived after us and who were inquiring about the wait in a way that seemed to suggest they didn't have a res, either, were seated. Hmmm. Then, we proceeded to wait forEVER, and were finally seated at 8:30pm. Not the best experience, even if we didn't have a res (we also kept being reassured that we'd be seated "soonish," but soonish was apparently half an hour or more). Anyway, enormously long wait notwithstanding, the food was just okay. My dinner companion got gyoza and chicken katsu. The gyoza was competent, but boring--it appears they didn't make their own skins (it was the kind of uniform-thickness-all-around skin that's disfavored and indicates store-bought skin), and the filling was so generic that I wondered if they'd just bought the whole thing frozen in a bag. The chicken katsu was admittedly quite good (better than most restaurants)--well cooked, not over-cooked, decent taste. I got three maki rolls: salmon skin, dragon, and soft shell crab. Sadly, they were all boring. And I mean Boring with a capital B. Let me put in perspective for you: At school, there's this really gross cafe that nobody likes, but everyone goes to because it's right in the building. The salmon skin sushi is about the only edible thing there, but it's still not "good." The salmon skin sushi at the gross cafe is better than the salmon skin sushi at Kyoto. There's another student cafeteria/food court place at school where non-sushi chefs make cheap sushi for undiscerning college students. Their dragon roll is better than Kyoto's. In San Diego, there's a Japanese grocery store that sells soft shell crab rolls for $5.95. It's delicious--2 inches in diameter, stuffed full of soft shell crab and roe and avocado, and so delicious that I'm totally cool with fish-smelling up an entire Southwest flight just to eat those things when I'm forced to fly during mealtime. The supermarket's soft shell crab roll is about 20x better than Kyoto's. Oh, I also had fried oysters. They were fried oysters. So, why go to Kyoto's? There's no reason. Actually, they had a good ginger creme brulee and the waitress was nice enough to let us know that we might as well get a dessert because we hadn't met our Groupon amount. So yeah, unless you're excited about waiting three hundred years for sub-par sushi in an extremely loud environment with very slippery tile (I almost slipped) but really good creme brulee, save yourself the heartache and buy some sushi at Jewel. It's cheaper and probably will be better. * Note: they didn't get a 1 star because they appeared to be a clean place.
(2)
Kiersten L.

Terrible. Got my phone number, address, and order wrong with my delivery order, but somehow got my credit card number right. When I asked how it was possible, the "manager/owner" told me that he had me repeat the credit card number because he couldn't hear me very well. If only he put that much care and attention into the rest of the details. Never again. To boot, the "owner" told me it was MY fault.
(1)
Betty S.

Used the groupon and thought the sushi was okay.... nothing special but good. Better than Joe smoe take out but not as good as some other places I have been. We got take out so that might have made a differance but I may have set my expectations too high. I might try it again, the restaurant looked cute for a BOYB inside so I would go with friends to give another shot.
(3)
Stephanie M.

snowballs are still delicious. service still sucks big time. snowball is better in the original rather than the spicy. try to not go on the weekends... it is so fucking loud. YO BRO SUSHI HEEEY I'M SKANK LETS TAKE PICTURES AND GET WASTED ON OUR MILLER LIGHT SHIT I JUST SPILLED IT ON MY BEBE HALTER TOP I NEED ANOTHER PHILLY ROLL. wtf people. i couldn't hear the person across from me talking last night. i would boycott this place altogether but their snowballs got me straight trippin boo.
(4)
Adam S.

I liked the atmosphere more than the food. Between three of us we ordered various rolls and it was okay. The service was good. I feel it was just a bad experience and I plan on giving it another go.
(2)
A Z.

I really loved the food! I received a gift card as a holiday gift from my employer and finally got the chance to use it for our wedding anniversary. Beautiful people and great energy to go along with amazing food. We will be back very soon!
(5)
Kat S.

I had a groupon to Kyoto and thought I would try it out. I'm a big sushi fan. We ordered a few fun rolls, the oshinko (Japanese pickles) and seaweed salad. Verdict: meh. The Oshinko were downright nasty. Like stank cabbage. The rolls were okay. And despite the groupon, we still paid a lot. Even more than at Blue Ocean which is worlds better. I will not return. Sorry, Kyoto, I had high hopes. But there's better out there. Much better.
(2)
Richard K.

The best sushi I've ever had......and I eat a ton of sushi. My wife and I come here at least 2-3 times a month. The owners Tony and Huey (sp?) are amazing. They both are Incredibly friendly. Our only complaint - if you can call it that - is when they run a Groupon and we have to deprive ourselves for a few weeks since it gets too busy. Kyoto is awesome. They deserve more than 5 stars.
(5)
Maureen L.

No option to give no stars. Not too inclined to give any stars after getting sick from eating there. I've been here before and, in the past, I would say overpriced and pretty good sushi, but nothing special. Went there Tuesday, 03/22. About an hour and a half after I finished eating my stomach started turning. I knew the Sea Bass Carpaccio smelled a bit fishy! It took about 3 days for my system to get back to normal. Thank God the portion was sort of small. Won't be going there again ever.
(1)
Whitney S.

There were definitely some great things about this place. I would highly recommend the "spicy snowball" appetizer - like nothing I've had before and amazing. I also had a tempura shrimp roll with salmon and sliced oranges on top that was great. Beware though: it gets pricey in a hurry. We ended up spending double what we normally would. Our waitress was really nice and made good recommendations. However, the hostess (owner?) I thought was pretty rude. She told us the entire restaurant was reserved and we could only sit at the bar. Then, after we finished eating (and we had been basically done for awhile and no check had arrived) she came over, told us she needed our "table" and offered us a small gift card if we would get up right then. She said next time we should think to make a reservation. I thought it was weird because it wasn't our fault that our waitress hadn't been by to ask if we wanted the check, but my boyfriend said it was at least nice of her to bribe us to get up. Honestly, i just don't think it's a cool way to run a business and i wonder if she would have been so pushy if we HAD had a reservation. Whatever. Just call ahead.
(3)
Lauren D.

Great for dine in or delivery. Love the 8ball, ahi flatbread, crunch salmon maki (i substitute tuna for salmon), and the fact that its BYOB!
(5)
K. A.

Good atmosphere and decent sushi. The specialty rolls were great (Chrunchy Salmon and Spicy Tuna Tatataki Maki) but I wouldn't recommend getting a simple tuna avocado roll, it was not worth it. Tinyyyyyyy piece of tuna and even tinier piece of avocado with a lot of rice. Also - we used a Groupon here and maybe they gave us the Groupon service because I have never waited so long for 3 rolls of sushi especially when it wasn't that busy when we arrived. We figured we'd start with 3 rolls and then see if we wanted more after...we almost had to put more money in the parking meeter b/c we waited so long for the first 3 rolls!
(3)
J Z.

good ambience, but the sushi is merely fine and salmon is too bland, udon was good but wouldnt trek +5 miles to go here again
(3)
Kevin S.

For the price, atmosphere, and BYOB component, this is my favorite sushi joint in the city. Don't miss the Fireball or Creamy roll.
(5)
Miriam G.

this is my favorite sushi restaurant in the city. it is affordable and good!! i like to sit at the bar and i let the chefs make up things for me and i always leave happy. they are always very warm and welcoming and i enjoy bringing friends to kyoto!
(5)
Amada D.

I don't know where to start. This is the best sushi place i have ever been to. Everytime I go there is no ordering from the menu. We always have the chefs make their recommended items and they all have turned out great. My favorite is the "Creamy Maki" oh my god, it is heavenly!! A must try. The service, ambiance is great! They even have a private room in back of the restaurant that can fit up to 10 people.
(5)
Matt L.

Kyoto is slightly above average sushi. They are BYOB with a $5 corkage fee.
(3)
Jared C.

tasty. went with 4 friends, 3 bottles of wine & a 40% off coupon, splendid. for a byob joint, one must make his or her way. the menu puts more emphasis on cooked rolls, sauces & tempura, so sushi beginners will be extremely pleased at the options for them. experienced sushi goers may be displeased by the lack of fresh and clean tastes and flavors in their signature and highlighted rolls. all in all, it was all really good. the maki rolls' flavors tended to blend a bit, but all were above satisfactory. the cucumber salad was a nice touch, the gomae ae was sub par. for the price and convenience, it really cannot be beat.
(4)
Erica M.

I love coming to Kyoto, sitting at the sushi bar, and letting the twins take the wheel.... The rolls are so inventive and fresh... The selection is great, the servers are maybe a bit too attentive, but aside from that... this is a great sushi spot!
(5)
Minnie L.

I was looking for a new sushi place to take my husband for his birthday when I found Kyoto. Its a super cute place and the sushi is very fresh! Our 1st server was not the best but then our 2nd server Justin was amazing! Kyoto would get 5 stars if they had Uni the night I went but Tony the manager made up for it. I would def come back w a group of friends!
(4)
brian s.

Recently had dinner here for first time in years and it did not disappoint. Sushi was outstanding!! We sat at the sushi bar and let sushi chefs prepare whatever they thought we'd like..and they did a wonderful job. Looking forward to becoming a regular again.
(5)
Heather M.

Came here with a Groupon and I don't think they were expecting a full house. One girl was taking orders while the other served the food. The waitress asked us twice how we were, I think she forgot she already greeted us. She seemed rather frazzled. Took 45 minutes to get 3 rolls of sushi. I wonder how long it would have been if they had to cook our food. The dragon roll was good but the spicy tuna roll seemed as if they were missing the tuna part. We were thinking they were skimping on the fish because they didnt have enough to feed the restaurant that night OR the people that had a groupon got the shaft. Seemed as if everyone was there with the Groupon. While waiting in line for the bathroom, another patron said she had beeing waiting 45 minutes for their reservation. If I was her, I would ahve left. We were seated right away but our sushi dinner for 2 took 3 hours, craziness! Coast is always packed and it never takes that long to be served. I will not be going back here, even with a Groupon. Way better places in the city for sushi. But I did Love that is was BYOB, if it wasn't I wonder how long it would have been to get drinks.
(2)
Lezah G.

I'd give this place five stars just for the fact that it has parking in Lincoln Park. I went there for the first time using a Groupon. What a nice find! The place is nicely decorated and very comfortable. Everyone was very friendsly and most importantly, the sushi was delicious! I just a sushi place by how fresh everything seems and by a couple of their signature rolls. We had the orange sushine roll and the kyoto roll and a couple of standards as well. Based on reading the other Yelp reviews, we ordered the Dynamite appetizer which I must say is the best appetizer I have ever eaten in a Japanese restaurant. I read some negative comments about this place as well as mostly positive reviews. All I can say is to give the restaurant a second chance because all place have off nights...it can be because of their suppliers, availability of certain ingredients, staffing issues, etc. I like Asian food and have some favorite Thai, Chinese, and Japanese restaurants which I go to regularly over the years and I've had some less than stellar meals a couple of times but always gave them another try and was glad that I did!
(5)
Judy L.

I completely forgot to make reservations but the hostess was kind enough to offer my group of 4 a table until 9pm. We were a bit worried they would rush us, but was very patient and let us know our time was up in the most demure manner. I tried the snowball, kani (crab) salad, oyster shooter, uni, takoyaki (grilled octopus molded into the shape of a ball) and creamy roll, everything surpassed my expectations! The free parking in the back also relieves the stress of finding parking on bar infused Lincoln Ave, just don't forget that in order to get to the back lot, you have to pass through the Apollo theater parking area and spaces are limited. The restaurant is BYOB and I give kudos to the waiters because there were many rowdy groups at the restaurant who were doing sake bombs and drinking contests but the waiters did not lose their patience nor did they appear frustrated whatsoever. Although we had to give our table up early, the owner allowed us to move to the sushi bar to finish our wine and while there, the sushi chef gave us free plate of mini uni rolls. We also ended up ordering more food, which goes to show how irresistible the food was!
(5)
Yini G.

If you aren't paying attention when walking through the neighborhood, you might miss this place. Kyoto was everything my friend and I wanted for a low-key Wednesday dinner. The dimly lit restaurant was very inviting, and they accommodated our requests. My friend wanted the dragon roll but with spicy tuna in the center. No problem. We were both happy with our sushi. Also their salad with the ginger dressing is huge. The only small complaint is the slightly slow service. There was only one waitress for the entire restaurant. BTW, I overheard the next table about their BYOB situation. Corkage fee of $5/bottle. This table was expecting to open three bottles of wine, but the waitress said she'd only charge them for two bottles instead of three.
(4)
Edward H.

My friends and I used to frequent this restaurant to enjoy their Dynamite. It is definitely some of the best sushi I've had around Lincoln Park. The restaurant runs without any of the frills that newer sushi places have. However, the conservative and quiet dining environment really lets you enjoy your meal - that can't be said for many of the new places which feels more like a club than a restaurant. Order up some Negi Hamachi, Dynamite, and a glass of Kirinn and enjoy!
(3)
Elizabeth O.

One of my favorite sushi places in the city -- affordable, authentic, my co-workers and I love it. Simple yet some unique dishes. Definitely worth checking out.
(4)
Jason K.

One of my favorite Chicago sushi spots.... No one beats the twin sushi chefs Melvin and Carlo in terms of talent. Go in and order the dynamite, Creamy maki (avocado goodness), and Gracie's special ASAP!!!!
(5)
Jeanine M.

I agree with all my fellow yelpers! Kyoto is a great choice for sushi in Lincoln Park. Its fresh, delicious, and quick service. There is a $5 corkage fee for BYOB. I tried the snowball sushi which was really tasty but definitely not truffley enough for me. Spicy tuna was very very spicy = yummy.
(4)
Laura B.

MMM Kyoto Sushi. I found myself here after originally planning to go to Toro Sushi on Clark for a Friday lunch - unfortunately they had a sign in their window that they weren't going to be open for lunch..Man! But alas, I used my goog411 skills, remembered the name of kyoto and called to see: 1. Are you open for lunch (yes) 2. BYOB? We just bought some sake (yep!) Hooray! And Kyoto is about 50 ft. from the door of my apartment building, so this was all good. We were seated and immediately greeted by a nice young lady, who smiled a hell of a lot, but lacked a bit in communication skills. But no harm there, she brought out a chiller for our wine and we made our orders. Lunch combos, tempura veggies, soup salad, and 5 delicious rolls. Everything was so fresh and delicious, and I reached the point that I often do with sushi - I was so damn full but still wanted more. I've been back a few times since, for carry out and dinner. I've never had a bad time. The service has always been good, the waitresses are just so nice, and everyone has always been so accommodating. This is probably my favorite sushi place in the city. Go there, you won't be disappointed! Actually I think I'm going to get some grub from there tonight :) ha
(4)
Brooke D.

I just moved from Chicago to Knoxville, TN, have been gone for a week and already am having cravings for Kyoto! The staff is the most friendly, helpful staff I've met. Melvin, and Carlo are amazing at what they do, as well as the staff in back. If ever in doubt, start with the spicy snowball ! My favorite is a roll that isn't on the menu, they call it No Nami (no name). If you ever want it, just say Brooke suggested it! Some of my favorite are the dynamite roll, spicy tuna tataki, no nami, the sweet potato in the vegetable tempura, and Victor's homemade Ginger Creme Brulee .. wow! to die for. I may need to be making a trip back up north sooner than expected just to stop in. Thanks for the great experiences :) Best sushi in Chicago
(5)
bohdan g.

After a long hiatus Kyoto has reemerged. As previously, a family owned restaurant had some of the best sushi for an extremely reasonable price. Now that it has reopened under other family management I was skeptical of its quality but that was quickly remedied...it has maintained its great food and quality as well as pricing, friendly service and very accommodating staff. It is in a very precarious location but it is definitely worth the effort...their dynamite roll is just that -dynamite...if you haven't done so check this one out -highly recommended
(5)
Erica K.

Just had dinner here because I was starving and craving sushi. It was good stuff. There were only two other people in the whole place so it was just really chill. We sat at the sushi bar and talked to the chef. He was really nice and made us a little plate of things to try while we were deciding what we watned. I can see how this place could be a neighborhood haunt for those who live close. It's the kind of place where they'll recognize you.
(3)
Minda T.

What a great dining experience!! Don't miss this one. We had tickets to the Apollo Theater next door and wanted a nearby restaurant. What we got was proximinity, but more importantly great, fresh seafood, marvelous service (waiter was Matt) and great prices. This place is a BYOB. They could not have been nicer. It was my birthday dinner and they treated me to a memorable creme brulee. We will be back!!
(5)
Kelsey N.

This place is amazing not to mention BYOB and great service. I reccomned the Orange Sunshine Roll and the Spicy Tuna Tataki roll (both are specials that they have every night). So fresh and so delicious! the house salad is SO refreshing and delicious too to start with. highly reccomended!
(5)
Jen A.

This place was completely empty when I stopped in for lunch on a Friday. Normally, that would bother me a little bit, but I sat down anyways and dove into a plate of sashimi and some veggie tempura. And...yum. Everything was tasty (the yellowtail was particularly fabulous!) but I was a little bit sad that they didn't have any toro. Delicious, buttery, fatty tuna would have made my day.
(4)
Lizz Y.

The prices here are definitely fair, and the sushi is always fresh. Not to mention the management is really nice! They have a great lunch special if your in the neighborhood! When I'm feeling a yearning for some sushi this is always my first stop!
(5)
Eddy C.

If you're looking for laidback, low-key sushi eating, then Kyoto is the place for you. The food is simple, fresh and very affordable. Go for the Special Cucumber Roll if you want to try something different (the maki contains four different types of fish and no rice and is wrapped with cucumbers instead of seaweed). The udon with the chicken and fish cake (forget its name) was also very good and had a light and delicious broth. However, if you're going to say that the udon comes with tempura, then I would expect more than just one dinky piece of shrimp. Although the food was inexpensive and quite good, I can only give Kyoto three stars because the service was completely sub par. Our server (who might have been the owner) felt it was more important to chat it up with some customers instead of bringing us our food. As a result, our appetizers came out the same time as our entrees. I think it should be common sense to serve your hungry customers first before shooting the breeze with customers who have already eaten. It's too bad because if Kyoto had better service, I would be raving about this place without any reservation.
(3)
Gisela A.

YUM!!!! love me some good sushi......great deal from Groupon... they have the best deserts .....and they have great gift card deals for the HOLIDAYS!!!! the waitresses that we had were great some places treat you different depending if you use a groupon and this place doesnt also has great atmosphere and its BYOB Woop Woop !!! LOOOOVED IT DEF COMING BACK!!
(5)
Paul R.

Dinner was outstanding. From the warm greeting at our arrival to the end of our meal, everyone agreed, we had a great time and the food was excellent. We felt relaxed and not rushed and the waitress was terrific. Prompt with our requests and knowledgeable about the menu and in offering suggestions. On top of that, having free parking, 10% discount if seeing a show at the Apollo, BYOB, I'm not sure there is a more dollar friendly night out anywhere in Chicago. Can't wait to return.
(5)
A S.

nice atmosphere and very friendly staff. the food was very good and seemed extremely fresh. i will definately go back soon. the ginger salad dressing is my new favorite ginger dressing (and i search high and low to find them). i asked if they sell the dressing (they dont) but gave me some to bring home.
(5)
Kristin P.

Aside from having to wait for about half an hour on a Saturday night (not bad actually, considering we didn't call ahead), my experience was good. Prices are very reasonable and they have some creative and delicious specials. My three friends and I sat at the sushi bar and watched the chef go non-stop for over two hours. Customer service was a little slow and overall the restaurant needed to be better staffed (in terms of volume) but it was an enjoyable experience.
(4)
Jennifer G.

The sushi was on the same par as Sushi O Sushi. I gave it one more star because it is also really reasonable. The staff was very attentive and friendly; they offered some good suggestions even if it meant we were spending less money. How refreshing. The atmosphere is sort of fast food Chinese style, but we will definitely be going back.
(4)
Aleah A.

dinner was average.
(3)
Miranda M.

I read all the great reviews online before we went, and maybe my expectations were too high because of them, but I was expecting more. I didn't even think very highly of the snowball - it was good, but it's no white dragon roll (coast). Our server was fine, but everything was extremely slow...we were there for almost three hours and had to go buy another bottle of wine from the liquor store across the street, because we were there for so long (and we weren't really drinking that fast!). I can think of about five other BYOB sushi places in the city I'd prefer to eat at. Sorry Kyoto!
(2)
Jennifer L.

This place is ok. The decor is pretty sleek and modern, but the food was pretty average, at best. I had the udon noodle soup. It was flavorless and watery. My dining companion had the chicken teriyaki which was also only okay. Maybe the Japanese entrees are not this place's strength? I didn't try the sushi, but they had a wide variety of sushi roll options and the prices seemed fair.
(3)
Jennifer G.

My husband and I tried this restaurant for the first time on Saturday (had a groupon to use before it expired), and was expecting a whole lot more based on so many rave reviews. My first peeve was that I called earlier in the day to ask if I needed a reservation or a spot on a wait list, and he said they were booked until 8:30. I almost cried because we had a sitter scheduled already and couldn't head out to dinner that late, I asked if there was any way, if we rushed, could we get a table by 6:20. He said yeah, if it's no later than that, I can help you out. My sitter arrives, I kiss my son and run like a bat out of hell. We drive like mad and get there by 6:20 on the nose. I walk in and the joint is half freakin EMPTY. Yeah, thanks a lot phone-answering guy! We are seated at a nice spot, and the waitress opens our wine and before we have even opened a menu, asks us what we'd like to order. That was peeve #2. After I had a chance to look at the menu, I asked some questions about the appetizers and she had no idea what I was asking her, and further, has probably never eaten a thing from that restaurant. We ordered the appetizer and then waited 45 MINUTES for a stupid plate of overpriced pot stickers. We kept trying to get her attention and she would just breeze on by. I honestly think she checked on us once the entire night, about 20 minutes after dropping off our meal. I may just be cheap, but I didn't think you got a whole lot of bang for your buck at this place. While the orange something roll was indeed delicious, it was $12. The entree we had was a pork tenderloin combo dinner (with the soup, cali roll and tempura) and that was $21. I ordered that because it looked interesting on the menu and the only other options are your basic chicken or steak teriyaki. Was hoping this place would have something a little more inventive and unique. I was so disappointed. The pork "tenderloin" was a piece of shoe leather, breaded and deep fried. The tempura was tasty and had a great sauce, but all in all, not at all worth the price of the meal. I don't think they have enough servers, or maybe need to hire better ones and the place is LOUD. I mean LOUD. I sat shoulder to shoulder with my husband and still had to shout. All in all, not a great night out, but at least it only cost me $25 because of the groupon. I would probably not go back due to the awful service and lack of menu options other than the sushi.
(2)
Sarah L.

My sister took me out for sushi for my birthday as I have been craving it for quite some time now. I wasn't disappointed as we came to Kyoto Sushi Restaurant. As we walked in, we were greeted by a nice man who asked if we had reservations. When we told him we didn't he said oh, ok that's ok, how about we seat you right here? That was fine. No problem. I'd say not too long afterward, the place was getting packed. I can see why they asked if we had reservations. The place was crawling with sushi eaters. Kyoto had a nice ambiance to it. Dimmed lights with nice decor. It felt a little cramped but it might have just been the fact there were many people in there. We ordered 6 different rolls and the three of us devoured it all! I gave it three stars for a couple of reasons. 1. The waitress failed to tell us about their specials that evening. The "specials" board was sitting around the corner behind us so we didn't catch it until we had ordered everything and basically ate it all. And 2. I'd say of the 6 rolls we ordered, I REALLY enjoyed a couple of the rolls. Although it might have made a difference if we had tried some of the specials. Overall, an A-okay experience. The food was alright. Not impressed and would probably try another sushi place instead of thinking 'we gotta go back!' Not so much...
(3)
John P.

The restaurant was nice enough to reach out to me and let me know that valentines day is on a monday and they are closed on mondays. Though I should have done due diligence and researched the days it was open, Im still sticking to the fact they should have said it on their voicemail! BUT I applaud them responding to a bad review! Anyway, we figured we'd try again last night and ordered carryout. And you know what, the sushi was really good. Anyway, thanks for the reply! We'll probably order from here again! Here was my previous review (from a monday): I was very disappointed when I tried to call and place and order for carryout and it kept going to voicemail. Worse yet, the message told me to call back in five minutes. After an hour I stopped trying. Why not just put me on hold, or let me place an order online, or even tweet it?! I get it, it's valentines day, you were busy. But I wasn't calling for reservations, I wasnt calling for delivery, I was calling for carryout! Easy money. But they obviously wouldn't know because THEY NEVER PICKED UP THE PHONE!!!! Thanks Kyoto, my girlfriend and I had soup for dinner on Valentines Day...
(4)
K- K.

My girlfriend and I just got back from Kyoto Sushi. This being a Thursday night, they were very busy. Our server was, considering the busyness, very good. We ordered the creamy roll, fireball roll and the seared salmon skin maki. The seared salmon skin was terrible, not fresh at all. My girlfriend spat it out, it was so fishy. I have a much stronger stomach so I chewed...and chewed and chewed. It was like they put old salmon jerky into a roll. We sent this back. The fireball roll looked a lot better in the menu than it tasted. Normally, rolls with a variety of ingredients taste rather complex. This was just hot. Also, the roll fell apart. Again, I understand that they were busy, but something was up with the rice itself. The creamy roll was fantastic!! Everything was how it should be! Finally, I ordered the creme brulee. It was fresh...and warm - I order creme brulee almost anyplace that serves it but I had never had it warm before. The top was burned and I still have the burn taste in my mouth.
(2)
Elizabeth P.

The sushi was good. The service was not. I was there with two girlfriends and we were fine with waiting 30 minutes for a table. Since there is no waiting area, we grabbed a beer elsewhere and the host called my cell phone when our table was ready. The problems began once we were seated. We waited 10 minutes for a server to acknowledge us; another 15 for him to take our bottle of wine and open it; another 10 for him to bring said wine back to the table (but no wine glasses); another 2-3 mins for thim to go retrieve some wine glasses. This was my 3rd visit to Kyoto (used groupons at all three) and, unfortunately, I experienced bad service and long wait times at each visit. The sushi is good and it is close to my apartment, but I will not be dining there again.
(2)
Caitlyn O.

Without a doubt the best sushi ever! Anytime friends or family come into town I always take them here. The sushi chefs are amazing definitely sit at the sushi bar and let them feed you - don't even look at the menu.
(5)
Andrea C.

creamy roll, spicy tuna tataki. try them.
(5)
Maura F.

I went here with a friend, and we used a groupon. Without the groupon it would have been quite expensive, but it would have been worth it for full price. We got cucumber salad and miso to start, both delicious. The sashimi appetizer is perfect. A lot of fish, super fresh, and delicious. The pickled ginger they use is the good stuff, not that scarily pink radioactive kind you get other places. We also ordered a combination of speciality rolls and regular sushi rolls. All of them were amazing. They really fill you up, too, this place doesn't skimp. I would recommend anything on the menu that is spicy and/or topped with roe. Everything was beyond fresh. As good as any sushi I've had on the east coast. The interior is fun, but small. Very intimiate place to eat dinner, perfect for small or large groups. Would be perfect for a date.
(4)
Ben L.

This place was recommended to me by friends, but after the experience my group had, I will never be returning to this place. The first issue with this BYOB joint was that we were not allowed to keep our beer on or underneath the table. Our waitress insisted on keeping it behind the counter so she could bring them to us and we would have more leg room. This might have been acceptable on a low traffic night, but on a Friday, when the waitresses are stretched thin, we had to get up from our table to go behind their bar to get our own beer. The sushi was pretty good as far as quality and taste, but our orders came out in quite a peculiar order. Some of our party who were among the first to order, were among the last to get their food. When the time came to pay, were were unceremoniously charged several uncorking fees. This would not have been an issue if the staff had not crossed the fee from their all menus by hand, and then said absolutely nothing to any of the wine drinkers in our group. Be warned, that your party will be charged, unannounced, for both wine and champagne bottles, regardless of whether or not the waitress does the actual uncorking. The final straw came when we went to pay for our meal. We noted our individual orders, tallied up our totals, and wrote on the check how much each card should be charged. Our waitress, however, took our total bill (minus the cash) and just split it up evenly between all the cards. You cannot tell me that, as a waitress or a restaurant, you are unable charge different amounts to multiple credit cards. The staff at this place is completely and utterly incompetent!
(1)
Jeremy D.

Pretty, pretty, pretty good. Had to order the Snowball per the reviews. Did not disappoint. Second app Kani Una I believe was the name. Cold appeteizer w/King Crab...GOOD. Had two rolls than...Miami Roll was rich and quite yummy. Lady thought too spicy...but she's pretty sensitive to it. Get the Red Bean ice cream too. No idea what Red Bean is. I said tasted like chocolate. Lady said strawberry. Whatever, loved it. Not 5 stars due to noise in the place and comfort level. You're kind of packed in. TWSS. TIP: Make a reservation, even on weeknight, for a better seat.
(4)
Josette J.

Pros: - Cute atmosphere, but not every table has a nice view. - The guy running around refilling everyone's water every 5-10 minutes. - Good customer service Cons: - Waitress did not know much about menu items, forgot to give my dinner companions forks when they were requested, and goofed on order, resulting in my dinner companion having to send back food. - Having to walk past server station and kitchen to get to the bathroom. Would prefer if they had those areas separate from customers for hygienic reasons. - Average sushi, but better than Kamehachi on Wells. - Expect to spend 1.5 to 2 hours here for dinner. Dinner run-down: - Ordered dragon roll, 2 steak teriyakis and sushi and tempura combination - Miso soup was merely okay as tofu cubes were small and few. - Dragon roll arrived. 6 tiny pieces for $11. Average taste; a couple of pieces fell apart. Disappointing overall. - 2/3 entrees arrive. 1 item has to get sent back. I start eating alone or risk soggy tempura. - Sushi and tempura combination plate is only okay. California roll is tiny. I can make the same tempura at home. Fish slices are thin and have weird powdery texture. Was not worth the $24. - Other entrees arrive. - Forks are requested but never arrive. Dinner companion has to make eating apparatus out of two unbroken chopstick sets while other does his best with regular chopsticks. - Waitress comps dessert for earlier screw up. I was going to give this place 3 stars out of pity and because I really liked the water refill guy, but I've really had better sushi elsewhere for less money.
(2)
Inae L.

Went here several times with groupons because they just keep appearing! I'm very impressed that a popular place like Kyoto offers great deals. And the food? SO good. Yeah sure, it's pricey (although I always had a groupon) but every bit is worth it. The creamy is excellent, the fireball was great as well as the miami. The simple makis like salmon avocado and shrimp tempura are also good (although some were falling apart). Oh and I had their tempura udon on my most recent visit, and both the tempura and the udon soup were marvelous. Their appetizer maki plates like snow white are also great. I just wish they're open during lunch time! They get PACKED during dinner time.
(4)
Lee D.

My friend took me here with a groupon a while ago. I really liked the crunchy salmon rolls. They have just a touch of honey and are really different and good. I purchased my own groupon and brought a friend tonight. In addition to the crunchy salmon rolls we ordered the spicy snowball appetizer - really good. This place is great for creative rolls. I generally don't order rolls but their preparation is so unique with such a delightful combination of flavors I'll definitely be back to order more. In addition, our server was charming. I wish I would've gotten her name. She made the dining experience a lot of fun.
(5)
Olga D.

Wish you could do 1/2 star because this place is 4.5 stars. Sushi is reasonably priced, not most amazing thing I've tasted but def. fresh and enough fish unlike other places who sell u rice . Rolls to try- orange and fiesta and spicy scallop .. And spicy snowball app is delicious. But I must applaud this place on service. We got seated right away at the best 2top /booth and didn't get the usual Chicago "ohh u don't have reservations?!!..." Our super cute server ( didn't catch her name) was very friendly and attentive without being overwhelming. She made suggestions for rolls and apps. She brought us a sample of a dessert we asked about even though we already had one ordered. I must say we received best service I've had in Chicago in 4 years I've lived here. Definitely coming back :)
(4)
Dennis M.

got it to go. it was fine. It made me so freaking mad that for 50 dollars in sushi they gave me 4 packets of soy sauce. you're home, you just threw out all your extra packets last week and I got 4 damn packets. It ruined it.
(3)
Ashley K.

This place was decent but I've had better sushi. Maybe my opinion is skewed because the whole night went a little weird but whatever...it was fine but not great. The good: The rolls seemed fresh and most of the portions were large. The Creamy roll was very good and I've been told that I need to return to try the Tuna Tataki Maki roll because it's the best thing on the menu. The no-so good: I came here with five of my girlfriends...four of us ordered sushi and one ordered a bento box. Her bento box (well - not actually that...something else that she didn't order) came out before any of our sushi rolls. Except that it wasn't what she ordered so she sent it back. In the meantime, 3/4 sushi orders were delivered to the table. One of my friends had to wait about 15 minutes after the rest of our rolls came out to get hers. Granted she ordered one of the rolls that was fried, but that's not our problem - it's the kitchen's. Eventually the staff brought back the non-bento box (which at this point, had been sitting around for a while) and told my friend that they were just going to add on to that, so she was going to end up getting more food. Good for her I guess, except that this food has now been sitting for 10 minutes. I tasted her steak and it was pretty good. I ordered the fireball maki - mainly because it came with truffle oil on it. I requested that there be no tobiko/masago/fish eggs on my sushi. Love sushi - can't stand those little eggs. They get stuck in my teeth and I just don't like biting down on them. No bueno. Apparently our server heard no truffle oil instead of no tobiko because my rolls came with tobiko and I'm pretty sure no truffle oil. That or I couldn't taste it. Once I scraped all the tobiko off, the roll was pretty good but not exactly what I was hoping it would be. Nothing was bad and I'm certainly willing to give this place another try but I won't be rushing back.
(3)
Leang E.

I had a groupon I had been meaning to use here and finally got the opportunity. We got in before it got busy which was good. We decided to forego the appetizers even though I was starving. We nibbled on the cucumber salad that complimentary at each table. We ordered the Kyoto, the Orange Sunshine, Crunchy Salmon, the Summer Dragon, the Spider, and the New York maki. I liked them all with the exception of the New York since I'm not a big cream cheese fan in my sushi rolls. I was disppointed to find that there were more specials on the blackboard that I missed since I wasn't faced looking at it. The waitress seemed to be off the ball with that one, and was just okay. It took her a while to get back to us to order. The prices were average, and it's nice that it's also a BYOB spot.
(4)
Matt H.

A friend mentioned the Groupon and that it's his favorite sushi in the city, so we went. My problem with sushi, and its a personal problem, is remembering what I ordered. regardless I do know the spicy snowballs are better than the regular. Love the cucumber salad on the table. Edamame could be better. Staff is excellent.
(4)
Lauren P.

really good ginger dressing and generous size side salad! you also get cucumbers in rice vinegar and sesame seeds when you sit down, which are delish! the sushi is always fresh and has a beautiful presentation. only reason why this place isn't 5 stars is because there is a somewhat steep cork fee.
(4)
Esther A.

First of all, I have to applaud Kyoto's awesome customer service. My two friends were so late for dinner that I thought I might have had the wrong date, but I'd forgotten my cel phone at home, so I had no way of knowing what was up. The incredibly helpful guy at the front desk (maybe a manager?) let me use the restaurant phone to call my husband to get my messages. Totally above and beyond the call of duty, and done very graciously. Once my friends finally arrived (deadbeats!) and we ordered, Kyoto didn't disappoint. We got a variety of maki, including some stand-outs like the Fireball roll, which nicely balanced heat and flavor, the spicy scallop roll, which had really good texture, and a very interesting roll made with plum paste and shiso leaf--sweet, citrus-y, kind of tangy, really good. In all, we spent $50 for six rolls, an order of edamame, and a $5 corking fee on our two bottles of wine--not bad at all, and we left totally stuffed. I'd definitely come back here--the prices were reasonable, the food super-tasty, and the service in all aspects was terrific.
(4)
Stan W.

Wow. Spicy snowball is mana from heaven. Plus spicy Tina is best ever, and it's byob. What is not to like? Surprising that in the heart of trixie-ville you can find such fantastic sushi!
(5)
Mark C.

Have not had one bad thing here ever. Everything is always fresh.
(5)
Casey O.

Came here the other night because we had a Groupon. We were hungry on a Saturday night and felt like going out, so we decided to give it a try. We didn't realize that Kyoto wasn't your typical neighborhood sushi joint, it's pretty swanky. And WHOA. This place was crowded! I would HIGHLY recommend getting reservations for the weekends as we waited a good half hour to forty-five minutes for a table for two. Once we were seated, though, our enjoyment went downhill as the two giant groups of drunk yuppies grew louder and louder as the night went on. It was almost unbearable. I won't hold it against the restaurant, but I have to say it did put a damper on our experience. Not only that, but they do play some pretty bumpin' music, which didn't help. Oh, and then two women thought it would be a good idea to bring their infant to a sushi place at 9:30pm. Because it was so loud, the baby started screaming, but they just shoved rice in its mouth instead of leaving. Another thing that we didn't like was that the menu is a little confusing. I'm still a little new at this whole sushi thing, and at the places I've been to the menu tells you how many pieces come with each type of roll. At Kyoto, the top of the first section of sushi says, "One piece each" Does that mean it's $13.95+ for one roll? Or does it come with 6 or 8 pieces? Does that apply for the entire menu? They don't really specify on the menu, but our waitress was nice enough to clarify that each type of roll does come with 6 or 8 pieces, which was a relief. After everything was said and done, the sushi was pretty good. Not the best I've ever had, but good. I wouldn't say it was worth the wait or the excruciating noise and subsequent headache. If I came back I would on maybe a Wednesday night or something. Pros: Tasty sushi, hip atmosphere Cons: Too loud and crowded on weekends, a little pricey
(3)
Mark B.

Went back last night. Still amazing! Went in for a late dinner. At the late hour we were the only table. I felt bad that the staff was there for just us after closing hours. However, The staff could not have been nicer! They even gave us a birthday dessert and told us not to rush. Thanks Staff of Kyoto
(5)
Julie D.

What a find! Stumbled upon this unassuming sushi bar after leaving the theater next door. Saw the BYOB on the door and almost left since we didn't have any sake with but decided to stay after hearing there was a liquor store across the street. While I waited for my friend to return, the sushi chef handed me a sample plate of "snowballs"...wow! You must order them! We decided to let the chef make whatever he wanted for us and everything was amazing. Best sushi I've ever had! Reasonable prices, too. Next time I'm in Chicago, I'm definitely going back....and remembering to bring my own sake.
(5)
Nicole W.

Hands down, this is the best sushi in all of Chicago! Starting with the snowball (either regular or spicy)- definite must! I also love the crunchy salmon and spicy tuna tataki. Ending with a creamy is a great treat- it's sweet and savory at the same time. If you're feeling a bit adventurous, put your trust in the hands of the extremely capable and talented brothers behind the sushi bar- Melvin and Carlo are creative geniuses! Also, the service is amazing. After the first time I came in Tony remembered my name and is always a smiling and welcoming host. And it's BYOB?! Life doesn't get any better!!
(5)
Lauren P.

why is this place so expensive????? i stopped in with a date on the last day of the groupon, wisely making a reservation before we visited. and thank god i did. we showed up at 7:15 and were seated by 7:30. non-reservation-holders had quite a different story. the host told everyone the wait to dine-in was an hour & a half. the wait to take out was two & a half hours. the odd thing was, whole time we dined, there were open tables & a line of about 15-20 takeout orders waiting to be picked up. now maybe the host grossly inflated wait times to play it safe, but i have a sneaking suspicion he was trying to deter groupon holders from coming & saving tables/quicker take out times for regular customers. i heard him ask a few times if the person/party in question had a groupon. not illegal, but quite a shitty thing to do. i scanned over a few yelp reviews to see what everyone recommended & we settled on the snowball appetizer, orange sunshine maki, fiest maki, creamy maki & tamago nigri. we also received a complementary cucumber salad (domo arigato.) the snowball was just alright. nothing special, but fresh fish. the orange sunshine seemed interesting with the slices of orange on top, but the orange slices were dry, instead of juicy. it was just okay. the fiesta had quite a kick & was clean & fresh tasting. now, for $17, the creamy roll (9 pieces) should have tap danced across the table. sure, it was avocado-wrapped & the tastiest of all four rolls, but was it worth $17? no. our total bill, pre-groupon, was $71 (groupon got me $15 off.) the four rolls we ordered were $51 alone -- & for me, the food did not justify the amount of the bill. i even left the restaurant not feeling completely full -- quite possibly the worst thing to encounter after paying an expensive check. if you want the best bang for your buck, i would suggest a love boat ($55 or $65 for six rolls.) it's a semi-spectacle & you might not be able to finish it all (only 1/2 tables we saw could) -- but hey, you can always take the remainder to go. speaking of spectacle, everyone in the restaurant was ooh-ing & ahh-ing over the dynamite appetizer (the plate arrives on fire. oh you fancy huh?) "it's so good," said each of the tables. maybe next time. our waiter was super sweet & very chill for being so busy. greatly appreciated. FYI, there is a $5 corkage fee, which is pretty standard. with so many great sushi places around the neighborhood at a better value, i don't know if i'd be interested in coming back to kyoto.
(3)
Jackie P.

One word, snowball! Okay two words, snowball maki! It is that good. Melt in your mouth, OMG I think I may orgasm good! This is my third visit and I must say this place is really working for the first place spot in my heart! It.Almost.Has.It! Service has greatly improved each visit and they are really wanting to give you a great dinner along with great service! Third time is definitely a charm!
(5)
L. L.

Very disappointed. I ordered the chirashi sashimi, as I am an avid sushi consumer. I also ordered a spicy salmon roll. The chirashi sushi comes with sushi rice & miso soup- they forgot my sushi rice. Very annoying when you're paying $22 for a dish. The sashimi portions were stingy at best, and the fish quality is mediocre at best. I will never order from this place again. I've never written a Yelp review, only use them for guidance. This place was so disappointing, I felt the need to share.
(1)
Liz S.

I met up with the Princess of Sushi (aka Jackie) for a long overdue dinner and catch-up. She wanted sushi, which really should I expect anything else from her, and since I hadn't had any in awhile I was 100% on board. I met the Princess at one of her many sushi joints and this place seemed to know her well. We ordered way more sushi than we normally would've, only because the amazing Jackie had a coupon for 40% off....how could I resist trying new rolls when I knew I'd be saving so much. The rolls I tried were very good, and as Jackie has already said the snowball rolls (which is a special) was amazing. Everyone here is extremely nice, although a bit slow on service (water not being filled up), but that's nothing that can't be easily fixed. I would go back here with or without a 40% coupon and I would go back with or without Jackie (although I'd much prefer her to be with me). I'll definitely stop back at Kyoto for more yummy sushi.
(4)
margie o.

How has it taken me this long to make it to Kyoto when it's less than a block from my apartment? I'll be making up for that mistake with regular attendance from now on! My boy treated me to dinner here last night (and he picked up the wine for BYOB too - he's a keeper!). We had the edamame, the spider and dragon rolls and the special spicy tuna roll. All were very tasty, but the spicy tuna was stand out. The boy had some sashimi as well, which he reported was delicious. Our server was attentive and friendly. We sat at the sushi bar, and the guys preparing the sushi were nice as well. The decor is nothing special, but it's a cozy place, good for groups or dates. The women's bathroom is fine. It's clean and serviceable. My boy said the boy's room was not so good in that it "doesn't meet code". Silly architect. For those of us that don't require "code", the bathrooms pass inspection. I'll definitely be back to dine in, and I hope they do take-out so I can indulge at home as well.
(4)
Patrick M.

My favorite sushi place. Relaxed, BYOB, not too expensive, and the crunchy salmon is simple but awesome. Also try the ahi flat bread - it's great.
(5)
Kara B.

Kyoto is a delicious, cheap,if slightly disorganized sushi place. The good: The sushi was the freshest I have had in this city ever. My spicy scallop maki melted in my mouth. I have been raving about it for days now. My companion's Sushi Plate A was excellent as well. The cucumber salad they provide as a complimentary appetizer is excellent as well. The restaurant is BYOB, and it is VERY reasonable for the quality. We walked out of here for less than $40 for dinner for two. FREE PARKING! The not-as-good: The spicy tuna was mediocre at best. I thought the asparagus beef roll appetizer was too tough. Our service was very odd. Our first waitress came to bring us our appetizer and a second handled our wine -- but not simultaneously. They spread out the work of one person over two people and twice as much time. It was just very odd. Still, I would recommend this place, if only for the quality of the food.
(4)
Karen T.

Kyoto, Japan is home to the geisha districts of Gion, an extremely secretive industry blown wide open by a single writer. Kyoto of 2534 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago is home to some of the most beautiful sushi in town, and it seems to be a fairly quiet secret...for now. But I wouldn't tote myself as a culinary Arthur Golden because I break no one's anonymity but Kyoto's, and I would be doing Yelp a disservice if I didn't laud its praises. The ambiance is clean, fresh, with the traditional screens, bamboo centerpieces at each table and gorgeous art adorning walls. A muted tile floor hinders the room from absorbing any noise, but it was fine - just a bit loud. Dynamite Maki: Broiled shrimp, scallop, unagi, & tempura flakes with spicy sauce - beat Tsunami's Volcano Roll by a million. Fiesta Maki: Tuna, salmon, cilantro, jalapeno, avocado, masago, spicy mayo - I love cilantro. this rocked my world. note the mention of jalapeno and spicy mayo. If you sweat at the mere sight of spice, this may not be the roll to get on a first date. Umeshisokyu Roll: Plum Paste, Shiso leaf & Cucumber. I love good ume (plum) and i enjoy shiso, which is an acquired taste...think Japanese mint. it's supposed to be good for you. My friends' verdict..."interesting", and said in the tone of the way someone says the photo they just took of you was "interesting", or that your new haircut looks "....cool..." You know what I mean. Tuna Tataki - one of the most impressive special rolls I've seen since I left LA. This had tuna and unagi seared on top with shrimp tempura and tuna on the inside, with ginger and avocado. Something like this would be $24 at Sushi Samba easily. It was half that. They say that personality makes or breaks moderately attractive people - if they've got a beautiful warmth and liveliness about them, that charm is irresistible. conversely, if they sip haterade 24/7, are super emo, crazy pretentious..or are just *gasp* downright boring... then they're the type of person your friends examine at in pictures, "oh, (s)he's so good-looking", forcing you to question their taste or lack thereof because really? You just. can't. see. it. Well, Kyoto's sushi is moderately attractive in terms of taste and price, but the presentation of the food and personality of the restaurant are what by far blow it out of the water for me. They have a sushi bar with two chefs working away and a little blackboard of specials that's not too big or small. For this Goldilocks that searches constantly for consistently satisfying Japanese that's juuuust right, I loved it. No pretensions, no gimmicks, no trendiness. Though I will admit that Kyoto definitely seems "Lincoln Park gentrified" - there's a yuppie sleekness about it that doesn't come naturally to a traditional hole in the wall (or should i say, "garden apartment"). But as my own cupboards look like a page out of the CB2 catalog, that's fine with me. (: Last but certainly not least: free parking in the back. and BYOB - they're very accommodating. I saw several silver champagne holders being brought out for tables, which I thought was really cute.
(4)
John S.

Very good. Used to be a hidden jem but now its a famous jem. Great food great prices, awesome staff. My go to place at least once a month.
(5)
O O.

This is my favorite sushi restuarant in the city for affordable sushi. The rolls are amazing and the fact that it's BYOB is great. I came here on a recommendation from a friend, telling me that they have new management and if I like Coast, this is a good option for more affordable sushi in a closer location. They are open for lunch on weekends, which is my favorite time to go. You can sit at the bar and talk to the chef who makes specialty rolls. My favorites on the menu are the Fiesta and the Spicy Tuna Tataki is MELT IN YOUR MOUTH. It is so incredibly amazing. I crave it for days after. The decor is not fussy and the outside makes it look even less appealing since it's in a strip mall kind of atmosphere....but go here for the food.
(5)
Hideyasu S.

Unlike the other reviews, I enjoyed the taste and freshness of sushi. Yes, they were bit small and pricey. However, all kitchen foods were way below average includes appetizers. I also had $40 (not sure about the exact price) special menu for fresh uni. It came with tiny 4-5 piece of uni with the shell. It was a total ripoff. It was worth $15 max. I didn't really like the service neither; servers and busboy's attitude was below average.
(2)
Christie V.

I've tried a lot of sushi in the city, and this one ranks pretty good. Typical of most sushi spots, tables were tight, but my date and I scored bar seats and we really enjoyed it. We also scored same-day reservations per a voicemail that I left earlier in the day (on a Friday, not to mention). Our server was super cute, friendly and energetic despite it being so busy. Very lively crowd and ambiance. As soon as we sat down, the chef handed over a plate of snowball rolls (white tuna with a chili aioli topping) and they were freaking amazing! I thought the spicy tuna was a bit mediocre, but a few of the specialty rolls really stood out and were excellent. Good for a date or a group.
(4)
Kate N.

Consistent, fresh, yummy...I love this place. We go here all the time and thanks to Groupon featuring this restaurant twice now, we've gotten some great deals w/cupons. Go early on a Fri. or Sat. night because it gets crowded (or make a reservation).
(4)
Emily K.

I went to this restaurant with a group of 14 and we all thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Their sushi is excellent, the fried rice is very good too (though i'd reccommend vegetable fried rice rather than chicken) It is BYOB, which is fun, and the wait staff was very helpful, giving us each separate checks. The prices were fairly reasonable and the ice cream was excellent. People were raving over the Red Bean, but i was a fan of Strawberry Swirl. The tempura shrimp roll was exellent!
(5)
Mark Z.

I may have already reviewed this restaurant in the past with a favorable rating, but now that the twins are gone, it just isn't good. Not worth coming here any more in my opinion. Sorry Kyoto, but I've eaten from your restaurant for the last time. I had takeout today and every roll I ordered was sub par, and fishy.
(2)
Jo K.

I was full---stuffed before we came to the Kyoto... I'm going to start with my Aunt, Ella, who spoke very highly about all the sushi from this place. We took the cab from the magnificent mile to Lincoln park. The front of Kyoto, actually, the ENTIRE street looks very dim almost reminiscent of a scary movie because of the dark street along with the train station nearby. As we walked up to the door, I saw a big sign "B.Y.O.B". At first, I thought of running somewhere to get beer. The men working there, were so nice and welcoming. We were seated right in front of one of the chefs, Melvin. *Sigh* Writing about the food there is quite difficult. About the food, which is why you're reading this, I felt like I was in heaven. I have never had food orgasm but I did... Especially after eating the third dish. I was quite apprehensive,at first, about eating the sushi. The presentation of the dishes, just elegant. It was so pretty, I just wanted to eat it! Each and every dish served had a different taste. It was just tasty. Each sushi, each dish served had an amazing surprising taste. The caviar used was also very good... The best way to seriously describe it is, food orgasm... It was like watching fireworks, the best fireworks---so synchronized... It was almost like each ingredient KNEW when to explode in your mouth... I only wish I knew the names of the dishes served so I could make those suggestions. There was definitely the creamy roll... The salad served in a margarita glass... The dessert---a whole-nother-world... Watching Melvin make each dish was also entertaining... He was almost dancing to a beat... I am now back in NYC without Kyoto... So yes, I was full when I walked in yet I finished every dish served-- all the way to the dessert... Yes, I saw B.Y.O.B but I'm glad I didn't get beer. Otherwise it would have been disturbing sushi taste... Kyoto--- Melvin and Carlo come to NYC!!!
(5)
Melinda W.

I am definitely a regular at Kyoto...I usually order food to go about twice a month from here. My favorite roll of all time is the Crunch Salmon Maki. Doesn't sound like much, but the honey in this makes it fantastic. Another favorite is the Kyoto Maki...a spicy tuna roll taken to the next level. Great service, kind owners, and reasonable prices all make this a go-to BYOB sushi place for me
(4)
Tiem S.

I went here with my wife with our $25 Groupon for $50 worth of sushi. Hey, for a consistent 4+ stars Yelp, this place should be good, right? Ratings can be deceiving... The wait time wasn't too bad for a Friday night even though the place was packed. We were seated and our orders were taken promptly, which included a chirashi bowl, sushi and sashimi, and one of their spicy specialty rolls. However, it took forever for the chirashi and sashimi to come, and when they finally did, we were disappointed at the quality and and quantity. This shouldn't have been a surprise, given that we were seated at their bar and the fish in the chillers didn't look that fresh. Even the tofu in their miso soup tasted a bit off. We had to remind our waiter twice about the specialty roll. When it finally came (a measly five pieces), it tasted like mush and wasn't spicy at all, even by wussy Midwest spicyness standards. Our beverages were frequently refilled the first 15 minutes we were there but then weren't topped off subsequently. Oh yes, it's also BYOB. Perhaps that's why Kyoto is rated to highly - patrons don't remember the sub-par sushi? Even with $25 off, it's wasn't worth the price. We won't be returning.
(2)
Tammy Q.

So I came here when Kyoto hosted a grand re-opening for the restaurant a few months back. They had a drawing for gift certificates and I entered myself (thinking I never win anything -- what the heck?!) Anyhow, I must have had lucky ducks on my side that day since I won a nice gift certificate. I've been nursing this certificate for a while until I invited some sushi loving friends with me to dinner last night. I ordered the mushroom maki and chicken katsu as my entrees. The other four folks wanted to live on the edge and said the sushi experts could make them whatever they wanted. That said, out comes unagi with jalapeno and spicy mayo -- the consensus was that it was damn good and tasted like jalapeno poppers. There was a white tuna dish that came out that everyone devoured. Next, there were three different types of rolls that even made my allergic self salivate! The final dish that came out was a roll that they were instructed NOT to dip into soy sauce -- it was wrapped in avocado instead of rice and looked really good. All I heard was that it was buttery goodness. After reading everyone else's reviews -- I'm really glad to see that people are enjoying this hidden place. The service is super friendly, quick and sushi chefs definitely know how to satisfy a person's palate.
(4)
Ella S.

This place is neat with pretty good maki selection, it is better with BYOB! We got a groupon for $40 and end up having around $70 food. The people are very friendly and there are not a lot available seats even if you come aroun 7pm on Friday night. So better make reservations. We didn t know there is free parking in the rear so we ended by walking two blocks from the street parking we found...with free parking, it is much better. We will come back again.
(4)
Peng L.

A friend of a friend works there, so we got several off-menu dishes. From the soup to sushi boat to dessert, everything is indescribable delicious!!!
(5)
Iris F.

Ever try a salmon maki but with a crunch? Yum Every item on the menu just had me speechless and clueless in what to order. Of All I enjoyed the salad in martini glass! Kat something? The staff was great and answered all my questions. Plus he gave me a $10 off gift card towards my next visit. Love it
(5)
Matt N.

WHAT A BUNCH OF CROOKS! So my wife had bought a Groupon for this place and we realized it was running out. So called and left message asking about the expiration of the Groupon - only to get no response. I called again and left another message stressing it was about to run out and I needed to talk - well you got it. They never called back so it just ran out. I guess part of the moral of the story is never trust a restaurant that has a voice mail and doesn't pick up the phone. Regardless of reviews these people have no regard for customers. There are tons of great Japanese restaurants - forget theses jerks!
(1)
Molly R.

We blindly chose this restaurant because we had a groupon, but I will definitely be going back! We arrived right when they opened at 5pm, which is quite possibly the most awkward time of day to go to a restaurant for dinner, but the staff was bubbly and friendly and recommended the best corner table to sit. The restaurant is BYOB, which we did not take advantage of, but the food was so incredible, I will definitely bring a bottle of wine the next time I go back. The service was fantastic, which may be attributed to the fact that only 3 tables were occupied, but our waiter was very charming and professional. The fish was fresh and crisp, maki rolls were delicious, and everything was prepared quickly with great presentation. All in all, it's a great hidden gem. It's located downstairs in a boring looking strip mall building on Lincoln, but don't let the grungy building and modest sign out front hold you back!
(5)
Lulu W.

You really can't tell this place is so amazing just from looking at the outside of the restaurant! When my boyfriend and I walked into the restaurant, I was dazed by how gorgeous the interior design of the restaurant was; it was a clean, contemporary Japanese setting with the perfect dimness of light, and it was a very nice place for a date. Service was great, perhaps one of the best I've had. The waitress spent no time getting us water and menus. After seeing that we had no idea what to order, she recommended some of their most popular sushi rolls. My boyfriend and I actually ordered 3 rolls all from what she suggested. After that, the food came out really fast! I was delighted because I was starving. We had the Spicy Snowball for appetizer and then a Creamy maki and a Crunch Salmon maki. All three were delicious beyond my expectations! And this is coming from someone who eats sushi at least 2-3 times a week. Yes :) sushi is my sinful delight. Goodness, if it is your first time going, you MUST MUST MUST order the Spicy Snowball; it is so good! The other two maki were amazing too; both of them had a slightly sweet under taste, which I absolutely loved. They were all just the right amount of saltiness, so we didn't need any soy sauce at all (in fact, they tasted better that way). Kyoto Sushi had a gift card promotion when we went ($25 for a $50's worth of gift card). I didn't hesitate to get one because I am definitely going back soon. :)
(5)
Martin P.

I bought a Groupon coupon for this place and was totally floored by the freshness of the fish and the amazing expertise of all the staff. we sat at the bar to watch them prepare it. my taste buds were flying with amazing colors of spice and textures!! Thank you so much! This was a Groupon Coupon that has me hooked. I will be back and probably pay full price now! Loved it. The crunch salmon, Spicy Tuna Roll were my Fav!-MP
(5)
L L.

I am a sushi snob and I have to say KYOTO passed the test. Service was lovely and food was great. Hands down the best version of Agedashi Tofu I've ever had! Spicy Tuna Tataki, Summer Dragon and Crazy Maki all rocked. Snowball was also good - wish there was more! Gladly returning and looking forward to trying the rest of the menu!
(5)
Claire F.

Everybody liked their sushi rolls, but nobody was over excited about them. Nice atmosphere.
(2)
Fuffie G.

Well this was a nice surprise. Coast Sushi is one of my favorite Sushi places and we were not able to get in as they were booked. Well that ended up being a blessing in disguise because I got to try Kyoto. I know Kyoto has been there for a while but I had never heard of it. It's not in my neck of the woods nor is it obviously seen from the street as it is in a "garden" level space on Lincoln Ave. One of my friends recommended it as it is BYOB and I am all about the BYOB! They charge $ 5.00/3 people which is a little odd but we were three people so the $ 5.00 was fine. Service was also a little strange. Our waiter was a nice guy but a little flaky. Either he was new or flaky. Not quite sure. We ordered something called a snowball which was absolutely delicious. One of my friends doesn't like spicy so we ordered it regular and I dipped a little spicy mayo on it. I'm sure if I had ordered it spicy it would have been better but this was still plenty good. Rolls were creative and the fish was very fresh. The spicy Tuna Tataki Maki was really good as was the Spider roll. I would pass on the sweet potato roll as the pieces of potato were really small and all you tasted was rice. Kyoto is a strong solid contender in the world of Sushi in Chicago. I will definitely be going back.
(4)
Avery D.

What a great little place! BYOB! Reasonable prices. The atmosphere is low key and comfortable. The creamy roll is to die for, in fact everything was great. Friendly staff who made great recommendations. What more could you ask for?
(5)
Linds R.

Hmm..I don't know if I want to tell everyone how great this place is. Went on a Friday, and we were seated right away, although the hostess seemed a little disappointed (annoyed?) that we didn't have a reservation. We ordered about six rolls, pretty standard ones and a few specials - all were REALLY good. Very very good. I judge sushi places by their spicy tuna rolls, and the flavor here was very good and the tuna was melt-in-your-mouth fresh. My only complaint is that it was the chopped up into pieces tuna, instead of the solid chunk that is my favorite. The service was good not great, but our waitress had some great suggestions on which specials we might like based on the first few rolls we ordered. And...it has free parking...so...thats just the icing on the cake (roe on the roll?).
(4)
Diana T.

I absolutely adore this place. I can't believe I haven't written a review yet. I first checked out this restaurant at an opening party where there was free food, drinks, and prizes! Since then, I have eaten here a few times and each time, I am thoroughly impressed. Some faves are the spicy snowball, spicy crab salad, creamy roll, summer dragon roll, and rainbow roll just to name a few. Last night, when my GFs and I arrived, they even gave us a free appetizer which was so yummy: tako balls with bonito flakes on top. The service is impeccable, our glasses were never empty, and BYOB never felt like BYOB because they take care of everything. I think if you go on a Monday or Tuesday (might have to call and ask) some rolls and apps are 50% off!
(5)
Bethany L.

My former roommate had been raving about this place for months, and was really sad when they closed for remodeling. She finally dragged me here yesterday for dinner, and I will most definitely be back. First, we got a big free plate of edamame that was perfectly salty. The asparagus beef rolls that we got as an appetizer were to die for - huge, tender strips of beef wrapped around crispy roasted asparagus, doused in thick, salty brown sauce. I got an order of Philadelphia Maki and Shrimp Tempura Maki, my sushi mainstays. They were the best versions I'd had in a long time; neither are easy rolls to screw up, but these were especially good. Loved that they had scallions in the Philadelphia Roll, and the Shrimp Tempura was rolled in really fresh, crispy tempura flakes. My roommate swears by the Chicken Teriyaki platter, which is MASSIVE and includes the chicken, four Cailfornia Rolls, a really good fresh turnip salad, and a small serving of tempura, plus miso beforehand. We got all of this for just about $40 with our 20% coupon, and it was well worth it. Service was great; our waitress was attentive and friendly without bothering us, and the atmosphere is very chill and conducive to long conversations. We'll be back!
(5)
Reginald M.

In a word- excellent! The sushi is very fresh and delicious. The service very good. Fast, friendly and attentive. The sushi boat has a nice variety. If you don't mind some meat for an appetizer you have to order the beef wrapped asparagus. Wow! Amazing. This place is BYOB but we forgot to bring a bottle. But it didn't matter.
(5)
Alex F.

A coupon brought me in here, but on my way in I saw that they have half price rolls on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The food was all very good (had the Sushi A and the chicken teriyaki) and the decor is pretty cool. I can't give it the full 5 because the service was iffy at times, but maybe they were too busy attending to their foolish DePaul friends who filled the room.
(4)
Melissa Q.

I am so glad I read the reviews before coming here. Creamy role? Wrapped in avocado and not seaweed?? I never would have chose that, but holy crow it was the best part of our meal by far. Other highlights included the flatbread and snowball appetizers. Service was great and BYOB makes it a wonderful dining experience. It will be a little far and inconvenient for us to get to soon, but I would definitely make the trip for another Creamy role.
(4)
Adelita H.

Sushi is AMAZING here. You will be dreaming about their Creamy Roll. The crunchy salmon is also fantastic and you have to try the seaweed salad in a martini glass appetizer (the name escapes me). Service ok, ambiance nice, prices middle of the road overall a great place for sushi lovers.
(5)
Michael A.

A nondescript place in a nondescript building. But the food is EXCELLENT. I will preface this by saying I am NOT a sushi fan. I eat it because my wife likes it. Id never say "lets go out for sushi." But the food here is excellent!!! Perhaps the greatest sushi Ive ever eaten is the "Creamy" Sushi wrapped in avocado. NO seaweed. And I hate the seaweed. Thats why I hate sushi. So the creamy was AMAZING. If I could have all my sushi wrapped in avocado, Id eat it daily. Go here. Eat here. Enjoy here. And order the "Creamy" roll. If you dont, well, thats your loss!
(3)
Kristie F.

Stumbled into a random sushi joint to grab a bite to eat before we headed a few blocks over to see a jazz show. Thumbs up for the good service and overall cute, low-key, hip ambiance of the place... but the FOOD: why was the sushi so tiny? where was my salmon on my salmon roll!? salmon hand roll... more like salmon finger roll!!!! This place is BYOB. Something different I've never experienced! Maybe I should've downed some and trick myself into thinking I was paying for good quality sushi...
(2)
Cristina R.

i found this place on GroupOn and it was totally worth it ... very nice environment, friendly staff, BYOB :) ill be back soon ;)
(5)
Mandy M.

Kyoto is on the pricey side depending on what you order, but it's sushi, so you have to expect to drop some extra cash. What you've heard is right: the spicy/creamy snowballs are their thing, and it's worth it if you're stopping in. What I liked most about Kyoto was their staff. From our server to our runner to the manager, everyone stopped by our table to make sure we had everything we needed, and shared their expertise and favorites. It was clear they had a passion for well-made sushi, and it made it more than just dinner, but a dining experience.
(4)
Lena D.

Great sushi and wonderful wait staff.
(5)
Howard L.

Wow, this place is something. I've never had Japanese/asian fusion as opposed to the traditional sushi servings. The servings were a feast for the eyes as well as the tummy. At $42 per person, it's not cheap, but we did get 21 different servings, and each was unique and special (check the photos for samplings). Looking back, we got a lot of food for the $ actually, so I also can't say that it was overly pricey. The sushi quality was also as good as it gets in my experience. There were a couple that I remember that just melted in your mouth - the super white tuna ("snowball"), and whatever fish was in the fried avocado rolls. I also found the fried jalepeno rolls, mixed seafood in clamshell ("dynamite"), and sushi with mint leaves to be particularly memorable. Carlo and Melvin are the twin sushi chefs. They apparently have a loyal following, and deservedly so, and one of them is my nephew who recommended the place to us and arranged our meal. Overall - great place for high quality, contemporary sushi and presentation, and a special night out. It's also BYOB. Parking tip: turn onto Altgeld street at Lincoln just south of restaurant, and enter their parking lot in rear. Free parking in Lincoln Park - it's so atypically convenient for the area, so use it!
(5)
Rebecca N.

Delicious sushi that delivers! I got a small order of just the spicy snowball and house salad. The house salad was very big and had a great ginger dressing. The snowball was a bit weird, but it was different and had a lot of flavor. I would order again from here in a moment! It is also BYOB so I would like to dine in the restaurant next time.
(4)
Ali W.

Got the deal on Groupon so I came here with a group of friends last night. The service was super slow and the sushi was very bad (bad quality)...it wasnt worth it!!! Will not come back here again!!! Do not come here if u want good quality of sushi!!!
(1)
Whitney J.

Pricey, but worth it. I visit here a lot because I work next door. The staff is always friendly and the sushi is phenomenal. They have tolls to satisfy the traditionalist and the adventure seekers (the creamy roll is like sushi heaven). I've never been disappointed with my orders here. A++ Possibly the best sushi in the city.
(5)
Jerry Y.

We went to Kyoto last (Sat) night because we bought a groupon after reading great reviews about the food. When we walked in we immediately knew it was a mistake; the whole place was extremely noisy due to the small dining area size and packed with people.The tables were literally next to each other except for the larger ones reserved for bigger group. Because the decibel levels were extremely high, people had to literally yell to hear one another above the noisy din. We could hear nearly everyone's conversation. We wished we've brought along some ear plugs. We hurriedly ordered our food and then got the heck out of there before we got deaf! If you're looking for a quiet, romantic dinner this is NOT the place to go, regardless of how good the food review is, unless you want to bring in noise-cancellation headphones. Bottom line: OK food, Lousy ambience, unless you like noise. JY
(1)
Tricia D.

I'm full. Carry me. Okay, so you know that whole fave five deal that phone providers offer you when you sign onto their plans? This would be the fave five I call at Kyoto for some comfort (food). And mind you, this has been whittled down from a plethora of like 15 different items that I tried here. 1. Jalapeno pepper, cream cheese, and eel... thingymabobs... to make it easier for you, it's called unagi tempura. There. I looked it up. You're welcome. It's like a firecracker on your plate! 2. Yellowtail sushi - it's been scorched and torched, and you can taste it. I likey. The sesame seeds provide a good contrast in texture too. 3. The baby scallops and shrimp covered in spicy mayo, served in a flaming oyster shell. Dynamite it is. 4. Winter may be over, but I want the "snowball" all year round: albino white tuna served on top of perfect spheres of rice, topped with the edible part of a sea urchin called uni and truffle. 5. Salmon belly - so meaty, AND I get my omega-3s. Booyah! You won't leave here disappointed. BYOB, and BYOA(ppetite).
(5)
Adam M.

I'll get the bad stuff out of the way first. It takes a long time to get your food and it is rather pricey. Ok now that we got that over with on to the good stuff because sometimes you just have to be willing to wait and pay a little extra for some great food. The sushi here is awesome. I came here with my girlfriend and ordered one House Specialty roll and four normal rolls for our meal then we got one more Specialty roll for dessert because we wanted more tasty goodness! The highlight of our meal was definitely the Creamy Roll. The price point may steer some people away at $17, but let me tell you it's worth every penny. In fact this may be the single best sushi roll I have EVER had. If you come here you MUST try the Creamy Roll. Some other highlights of our meal was the Spicy Tuna Tataki (When they say spicy the mean SPICY), the Shrimp Tempura, the Philadelphia, The Dragon and last but not least my 2nd favorite Maki roll of the night the Sweet Potato. If you're in the mood for some real good sushi then search no further than Kyoto Sushi.
(4)
Elizabeth A.

Free parking in the back -- yea! Other than that, we were underwhelmed. The Spicy Snow Balls were good but tiny. Everything else was just not at all remarkable. On top of that, service was terribly slow.
(3)
Dave A.

If you are looking for a good sushi place in Lincoln Park, steer clear of this place. There were 5 people in our group with 2 rolls a piece. It took 45 minutes for all our food to come out, staggered heavily thoughout those 45 minutes. As I looked longingly at my rolls sitting on the counter I wondered why the waiter wouldn't bring it to me. I realized the waiter was more interested in talking to the table next to us and taking a shot than checking to see if we had even gotten our sushi. Once we got it, it wasn't even good. Totally not worth the wait! Worst service ever and will never go back!
(1)
Mary C.

This place experienced a pretty major upgrade since I was last here several years ago. The sushi is terrific. The staff are excellent - our waitress, Kacy, made several tasty recommendations. Great for a group, great for dinner with a few friends. This location is perfect for a weeknight girls' night dinner as there is a pretty excellent nail shop just up the street. Don't forget to BYOB!
(4)
Missy G.

We did not like this place at all. We came here after 9:30 on a Saturday night when our favorite sushi place was booked for the rest of the night. It is BYOB which is an added plus, but the food was just not good. We ordered the gyoza as an appetizer and it was fine, but nothing special. We then each ordered separate sushi rolls (split between basic and specialty) and all of them just did not cut it. I can't put a finger on why they were not good, but they weren't. Could it be that they were not fresh? Maybe because it was late at night ? I am not sure, but we will definitely not be returning. I do want to note that the service was great, which is why they received two stars instead of one.
(2)
Tyler C.

My girlfriend and I did the groupon deal and have been here a couple times. The Creamy Roll is a little expensive but well worth it. We also got the Beef Wrapped Asparagus as an appetizer. We will definitely be going back.
(5)
Natalie S.

My dude and I have been having many a date night here, thanks to Groupon. I used to come here back in high school and WOAH, the atmosphere has changed, definitely much more modern now. Modern yet approachable and comfortable. The sushi is solid. Very good, very fresh. The service is always great. Gotta love BYOB too. DEFINITELY make a reservation. There is *no* room to wait for a table so especially in the winter, you're left standing in the cold.
(4)
Noemi C.

I've tried..like 3 sushi places, and this one is by far, the BEST. Try the dynamite appetizer, creamy sushi roll (it's their specialty), and the crunch salmon roll. I'd explain more in detail, but I was too busy enjoying the meal to remember anything else!
(5)
Nick J.

Dynamite Appetizer is awesome, its still burning even 2 min after been taken onto table. Creamy roll is average, beef asparagus roll is too dried and lacking flavor. Ice cream combo taste good. Servers are kind but was forgotten and took too long to get the bill.
(3)
Meredith K.

This is one of those places were you have to lead with the groupon otherwise you get screwed with the 1/2 price maki deals but other than that its great! And they often have groupon like deals. I am not a huge fan of byob sushi places only b/c I want a lychee martini but I can cope. The number one cool thing about this place is the free parking in the back. Oh yeah and the rolls and apps are really good! I love the one with the truffle. Its amazing. Everything is really fresh and quick service. An all-round not fancy solid sushi place.
(4)
Vanessa X.

We got the sashimi platter and a couple of signature roles but nothing was particularly outstanding. I've had MUCH better sushi elsewhere, admittedly not in Chicago necessarily, but this one leaves much to be desired. The sashimi slices were small and not all that fresh, and that was the biggest disappointment. The signature rolls were a bit soggy and so very average. The soba noodles were a bit too sweet, but nicely chewy. And the mochi ice cream (red bean and green tea) were obviously store-brought. Saving grace: I liked the atmosphere - very comfortable and conducive to conversation - and the BYOB aspect is great.
(2)
Marie H.

My hubby and I came here with a groupon on a Sunday night. We were seated immediately. The ambiance is great for a date night with very clean decor. Our service was pleasant: our server was very nice and gave us detailed recommendations when we asked. We ordered the sassy kat and the spicy snowball as appetizers. The sassy kat was an interesting seaweed and lettuce salad topped with a mix of seared and raw seafood with a sesame ginger dressing. It would have been more memorable had we not had it alongside the superb spicy snowballs! While not as spicy as we expected, these riceballs topped with seared white tuna and a delicious truffle oil and scallions medley made for a fantastic start to the evening. They were very balanced with sweet, salty, umami, and a hint of spicy (it is plated with chili oil if you want more spice, but I was happy with the balance). For our main entrees we ordered the Dynamite and Creamy Signature Maki. With these two, I was sold on this place. The nice crisp of the former with unique creamy texture of the latter (it's name is well deserved) was such a good combination that I would recommend that everyone always order these two together. The fish was fresh, the maki's well-rolled, and the flavors were just right. We topped it off with the red bean mochi and the green tea ice cream -- pretty standard, nothing different: but I love green tea ice cream so that is always a plus. As a bonus: this place has real wasabi (not the horse radish mix) if you request it. I know for my husband and I, that makes any sushi place a winner. I would highly recommend this place for an affordable but still high quality sushi place! And it's BYOB!
(4)
Kate H.

We came here with a Groupon and ate like kings. We tried three of their specialty rolls: the spicy snowball (on their appetizers menu), the creamy, and the dynamite. The dynamite roll stole the show. I also enjoyed their sweet potato roll while my boyfriend noshed on a California and New York. They're BYOB, which is always great. There's a $5 corkage fee, but it's hard to beat a BYOB discount sushi spot in Lincoln Park. Our server was extremely friendly, and the entire staff was wonderful. It's a bit dark inside, since it's (slightly) subterranean, but it's still a fun atmosphere for groups or dates.
(4)
Julie B.

Kyoto Sushi is my go to Sushi place in Chicago. It helps that I don't live far. But really, it's just good. I think I went for the first time using a Groupon deal and have gone back many times without a Groupon. That's how much I like it, as well as my husband and some of our friends. Free parking, BYOB (with a $5 corkage fee) and they take reservations should you have a little larger of a group. The only negative is the tight seating. When it's busy, you will have people at the tables next to you and it'll feel like you are eating with them. Not the end of the world and it hasn't stopped me going.
(4)
Stephanie L.

This is a solid BYOB sushi place. Went here with some friends on Black Wednesday to get some grub in us before the binge drinking started. We were sat immediately. Yes, its a small restaurant, but I loved the feel of it. There was a lot of people in here. Service was ok and the tables were cramped. The sushi was damn good quality for the price. Started off with the seaweed salad and the house salad. Both were standard. Onward to the maki....creamy, spicy scallops, fiesta, philly and the spicy tuna. The creamy was fantastic. The fiesta had some kick which I loved! All of it was great. Ended on some mochi....they did a combo platter for us so we could try all flavors. Cannot be beat for the price. Plus, we had a restaurant.com coupon for $25 off so we literally paid like $30 for dinner for four people...it was AMAZING! I would definitely go back!!!!
(4)
Tara B.

Went here with a Groupon. We had a new server, she was nice, but her nervousness made her overly chatty and awkward, which in turn stole the ambience away from our dining experience. I'm not sure if she was quite ready to be on the floor yet because of that. Overall though, she got our food ordered and brought it in reasonable time, so she was okay. The food was okay, not great. It didn't seem to be incredibly fresh as I would hope for in a sushi bar. It wasn't fishy either though, the fish itself was a bit bland. We did try the tuna tatakimaki roll and that had pretty good flavor. Bottom Line: I was glad I had a Groupon because I would have been a little disappointed had I paid full price and drove across town. It was just okay and there are just too many choices in Chicago that are better. I'll stick with Coast, it's closer to my hood.
(3)
Christy N.

My go to sushi spot in Chicago. AND its byob. AND they deliver!! Its kinda hidden underground but i love the "downstairs" vibe. It's dark and the music sets the atmosphere. Always cool. Always intimate. Always. Tony, manager is a rockstar. He'll go above and beyond for customers. The servers are super attentive and on point. You MUST get the creamy roll. Its a pricy roll but the best one on the menu. I've never had a roll anything like it. If you sit at the sushi bar, the chefs (who are twins, btw) will pass off a few things for you to try. Everything is good. Spicy snowball and 8 Ball are my other favorites. Go to this place. Take your friends. Reserve the back room. You're friends will love it.
(5)
Fix M.

I swear this was my favorite sushi place to go to near my house. At a time I was going like every other week! I went last on 1-16-14 with a friend, and the food and service were terrible. We sat at the sushi bar, and let me tell you, I have never seen so much food sent back to the chef ever. It was like they were on a hidden camera show! One waitress we thought was going to knock out one of the chef's because he kept messing everything up. I would feel the same way if I were her. Our waitress was in the weeds most of the time, so we never saw her. We had to send a roll back because it was inedible. I am not sure what happened to my gem for sushi, and wish the old servers and chef's were still there.
(1)
Brett P.

Went to Kyoto on a Tuesday night to use a Groupon we had for a while. I really enjoyed my meal and the overall dining experience. The restaurant is underground which is unique and also pretty nicely decorated. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. BYOB was also a plus, and there was no corkage fee. The sushi was some of the more expensive that I've had, but also some of the tastiest. I must say that if I was paying full price, I would have been a little disappointed by the size of the rolls. Based on reviews, we ordered the snowballs for an appetizer. They are delicious, and the truffle oil plus the delicate white tuna is really what makes this dish awesome.(Go with the spicy snowball) We also ordered the Miami roll, the sweet potato tempura, summer dragon maki, and the creamy roll. The Miami roll was our favorite with the creamy roll not too far behind. Overall, Kyoto is a worthwhile sushi spot especially if you have Groupon.
(4)
Jackie F.

I've been to Kyoto a few times but lastnight was definitely my best experience yet. The creamy roll is excellent, Miami roll was excellent, and so was the Eightball we had for a starter. The Fiesta roll was not my favorite but wasn't bad either just not as good as the other 2 we had. BYOB is always a plus and service was quick. I will say it is a bit more expensive than some sushi places but definitely will be back.
(5)
David M.

Great place, wonderful staff. Must try the Ja Ja Sake. And if they have fatty tuna that day, just to die for. But they typically save it for their regular customers, so go often.
(5)
Stephanie H.

I'm a little late posting my review, ate here a few weeks ago. Small and quaint, a bit dark, but nice. More importantly though, the food. And by that I mean the Miami roll! YUM!! Even though I was disappointed they were out of creme brÃ»lÃ©e, I left with a smile on my face because I ate another Miami roll for dessert! The staff was really nice too!
(4)
Raquel D.

Creamy roll. That's all I gotta say. Now, GO!! Ok, maybe I'll add a bit more - this place rocks! We went here for dinner as a start to a bachelorette party and it was a perfect choice!! We got a semi-private room in the back for 10 gals and it's BYOB!! The service was friendly (not so prompt, but it was busy) and the food was outstanding. The fish is fresh and the creamy roll is to die for. I think we ordered 5 of those suckers along with the sushi boats. We don't mess around. I remember loving it all, especially unagi and fire something roll. The creamy is $17 bones, but worth every penny. I just wish this place was closer and not so cramped - but I will def be back!!!
(5)
Kris L.

Great sushi, good service, reasonably priced! The apps were amazing! I rec Spicy Snowball and Flaming Dynamite! The spicy snowball was rice with yellowtail and some sauce...it was extremely flavorful and not actually spicy. The Flaming dynamite is shrimp and scallops in spicy sauce that comes lit on fire :) The specialty sushi rolls are chock full of different fish/veggies/condiments! Loved the Orange Sunshine, Crazy roll, and Kyoto roll! Will definitely be returning to Kyoto Sushi. ***make a reservations-this place is getting crazy crowded with the groupons.
(4)
Patrick P.

I've been here a few times, and there are some good qualities to Kyoto- First of all, there is free parking in the back lot. Second- BYOB. Always a nice option if you want to bring your own booze to enjoy here. The first few times we've had a Groupon, and I agree with many of the folks that the sushi (nigiri) and sashimi is definitely on the high side when it comes to pricing. In Lincoln Park I think this is a bit high. The quality of the fish is good- and that is important to note- but for the pricing I think they have been less generous each time I have visited with their individual and especially the platter portions. Went here last night with my brother, and he ordered the Sushi and Sashimi sampler for $27- and I swear that it looked like it was 4 pieces of both. He offered some to me- but I politely declined, knowing that he would be ordering more food, which he did. I ordered a roll with Tempura Udon as my meal- The real issue I have is with the Tempura Udon. I waited almost 20 minutes (after the sushi arrived) to receive my dish last night, and I'm not really one to get overly upset because I know it's busy, and there are other people in the world starving...but this dish was nothing special at all. The bowl was served with just broth and noodles (almost seemed like it was an instant packet) and the customary side of tempura. That's it. Something you can go and pick up at any Asian grocery store and make for yourself. For $11 I'm pretty sure the restaurant is doing just fine with the minimum profit margin of 85% on this item. My brother and I were kidding around- maybe they didn't have any fresh udon handy and the reason it took so long is that they had to Grubhub an order for my dinner. Stick with the rolls when you go. Make sure you have a Groupon. Service was good. People need to discover other options out there though. In Chicago there are plenty of them for the money you spend out there.
(2)
Nicole P.

Kyoto is my go to sushi place in Chicago! If you are looking to find a reasonably priced Sushi restaurant, it's one of the freshest places around. I would recommend making a reservation if you are looking to go on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday because otherwise you probably won't get a table. You only need to book a week in advance though. My favorite rolls are the orange sunshine(has a slice of orange on top so its really refreshing). The Miami (definitely heavier but delicious). The Snowball(under appetizers) is also amazing! On top of the food, the staff is fabulous and super friendly!
(4)
Amy R.

This was my 2nd visit and once again it was amazing! Make sure to order the Spicy Snowball and make sure you have a reservation.
(5)
Emma N.

Restaurant is super hard to find and the location of the restaurant was not convenience. The food is nothing compare to California Sushi at all. Service was bad. They forgot about our roll and come up with a blame excuse they their give it to the wrong table. Badmouth right in front of the customers.
(1)
Bri B.

This place is terrible. I've been here a few times, and thought it was at least okay and only worth a groupon. I went again tonight and I don't know if it's changed or what but I thought the food was pretty horrible. The shrimp dumplings were the best thing we ordered. Everything else was pretty bad. Why does all of the sushi have imitation crab meat, especially with the prices they charge. It reminded me of being back in college when I'd go to the refrigerator sushi station and eat cold, old sushi that's been sitting there for hours. I'm sorry, I wouldn't go here again, even with a Groupon. It was EMPTY on a Saturday night!! If that's not bad I don't know what is. If you go to the Marianos in Ravenswood, grab a drink, and sit at the counter and order sushi, you actually get a much better quality sushi for much cheaper. A grocery store should not be better than a restaurant.
(2)
Rexcrisanto D.

SUSHI RATING BREAKDOWN: CLEANLINESS / NEATNESS Display Case: 3 Cutting Boards: 2 Sushi Bar: 3 Restaurant: 4 Bathrooms: 4 SUSHI CHEF (s) CLEANLINESS Professional Appearance: 3.5 Hand Washing: 2 Wiping of Knives: 2 Wiping of Board: 2 Makisu Bamboo Mats: 3 Cross Contamination Control: 2 Display Case Doors Closed after Opening: 2 SUSHI CHEF (s) SKILLS Sushi Rice Quality: 3 Nigiri Preparation (Shari / Neta): 2.5 Maki Roll Preparation: 3 Sashimi Preparation: 3 Presentation: 4 Friendliness / Interaction: 2 FOOD (SUSHI BAR) Freshness: 3 Taste: 3 Japanese Authenticity: 3 Innovation: 3 SERVICE: 3 Likelihood to return if nearby: 2 Likelihood to "go-out-of-my-way" to return: 1 TOTAL SCORE: 2.70 (Everything else is secondary) THIS REVIEW IS BASED ONLY ON THE SUSHI BAR. Friendly waitresses and owner, who greets and converses with customers in person. Small place that tends to be loud. Interesting menu with some innovative twists. Unlike previous visit, this last visit had disappointing sushi rice, which makes the quality inconsistent. Also, the shari & neta proportions don't warrant the high nigiri pricing. My major concerns are with the sushi chefs who left the display cases that holds the raw fish open for much too long. Also, even though they wear gloves, they didn't remove and discard them enough after touching contaminated surfaces. If you like your privacy when eating, you won't like the center island seating because you may likely be sitting elbow to elbow with strangers if you are seated there when busy.
(3)
Tom R.

Personally I don't like sushi... so why go to a sushi restaurant you ask, well my wife likes it and I can usually find something else on the menu that sounds good. This is the 2nd time we'd been to Kyoto and seeing as how it was so good the last time we were there we were expecting more of the same, but instead we got a stoned waitress/kitchen staff who were so slow that it took almost an hour for a plate of Chicken Teriyaki to come out. By the time it did come out the rest of the group had already eaten the 4 sushi rolls that had made it's way to the table. Now I don't care if you smoke weed, but don't do it at work. It was obvious to everyone at our table that the waitress was high, and the overwhelming smell of pot didn't help either. She kept blaming it on the kitchen being backed up, but I really think she just forgot to put in our kitchen order when she put the sushi order in... maybe I'm wrong and maybe it was just a busy night for the kitchen, but that's still no excuse for reeking of pot. I'm not sure if we'll be back again after this visit, which is a shame because the food is actually really good, but the lack of service can make the best food taste like crap.
(3)
Kat M.

This is the spouse's favorite sushi spot. Or, to be more precise, this is where they make the spouse's favorite sushi roll. He really, really likes their Creamy Roll, which is crab and shrimp tempura wrapped in avocado instead of nori and then given tempura crust. At $17, it is the priciest roll that they offer, but he thinks that it is worth it, so who am I to quibble. The place works for me as well. I like that they offer several veggie maki rolls to choose from, including a couple of larger, more complex rolls. Kappa maki will always remain my favorite (Yummy, yummy cucumber. Yes, I'm odd, I know. ), but it's nice to be able to try some new things. Their veggie gyoza are pretty good, and come with a nice dipping sauce, but I though the goma ae was a little bit lacking on the sesame. Not bad, but I doubt I will order it again. I didn't notice much ginger in the ginger crÃ¨me brulee, which was a crushing disappointment after the buildup it received from the waitress. But in my world, even bad crÃ¨me brulee is still pretty good , so I had no problems scrapping the dish clean.
(4)
Amie C.

First of all....didn't this location house float tanks at one point? I swear I remember walking in there with a friend picking up a gift certificate. Moving along.... Stopped in for dinner on a Tuesday evening to introduce my mom to sushi. LOVED our server! Not gonna sugar coat it, I had an appreciation that our waitress was a native English communicator AND super well versed in the Japanese dining lingo! Call me a hater but I found it helpful to my dining experience. She had great recommendations, too! I quite enjoyed the yummy hot green tea and sweet cucumbers provided upon seating. What ARE those cucumbers?! Mmmmm! We started off with soft shell crab. My mom was a little freaked out that you just bite right into the whole crab. We both loved it. Mostly tastes like fried breading... Miami Roll (I hope that's the name) was one of the "fried" rolls. SO DELICOUS! It was my moms favorite. I love spicy tuna so we ordered a roll with that as well. I wish I could recall the names of what we ordered...but the spicy tuna was yummy. Our servers recommendation was the snow ball (i think) and because we were getting full they made a half order for us. YUMMY!! I would definitely come back to Kyoto! I loved the ambience of this place and they played great music!
(4)
Maria P.

Kyoto is truly a hidden gem and has become our go-to sushi place in the city, specifically Lincoln Park. The service isn't spectacular, but the venue and food is excellent. Try the Dynamite appetizer, the tuna sashimi, and the Tuna Tataki Maki roll. You'll walk away happy! Oh! Even better! They are a BYOB!
(4)
Ben S.

Our meal here sucked. The Nigiri was tasteless and dry, the beef/broccoli-roll app we got was uninspiring, and the rolls were borderline terrible. Not sure if we just caught them on an off night.
(1)
Keivan M.

As it says, Meh. I've experienced better! We got the love boat, only the dragon roll and sunshine were OK. Cucumbers were old, the snowball was also tasting like old fish. Much better and less expensive options in Chicago! No wonder they always have deals!
(2)
CherryAnn C.

After a few months, tonight my husband and I went back to Kyoto with a few friends - raving about how great this place was. After tonight, I'm not sure I would even go back, let alone recommend it to others. Because it's a Friday night, we understood it was going to be busy and somewhat packed, however tonight - they really packed the place to its max. We walked in, got seated right away (we made reservations), but we quickly realized we had to scream at each other across the table to make conversation. There was a group of guys in the middle table taking shots all night, screaming, and yelling - not one of the staff members asked them to quiet down - yet we saw people in other tables also shudder at all the noise and glass clinking on the tables after each shot they took. This is a restaurant, not a bar! Furthermore, because of how packed the place was, the seats against another table kept bumping into our seats which was very uncomfortable. Overall, with such a small restaurant space, I don't think they should be filling up the restaurant with that many people. Fire hazard! As for the food, we ordered sushi and udon noodle soup. It took about 45mins till we received our sushi order. The rice on the sushi was somewhat dry. The hand roll my friend order was very small (compared to other hand rolls we've ordered at other sushi restaurants) for it's price. After another 20mins, our nabe yaki udon noodle soup finally came, but there was a slight issue. We ordered 4, and they told us they ran out of bowls for the soup, therefore just so we can get our soup - my husband and I just told them we would share one bowl, and take the other soup in a to-go container. The soup itself was good, but it lacked most of the ingredients (only 3 small pieces of chicken and very little vegetables). The only compliment I can give about tonight is to our waiter who tried his best to make us feel like customers and actually apologized for the bad experience - he clearly saw it in our faces as we tried to smile and tune out the noise and craziness of the crowd. He even threw in a dessert and said "I apologize for tonight and the bad experience." I commend him for that. But honestly - management needs to realize that if they want to keep their loyal customers, its about quality not quantity! I will not be returning.
(1)
Lindsey S.

I have been going to Kyoto since its grand opening over six years ago. It is hands down the best sushi in Chicago! Tony and the gang are amazing and it's BYOB! Make sure to end your meal with the creamy roll. It is so flavorful and unique with the avocado on the outside. The creamy roll is the best roll in the world!
(5)
Amy S.

I love this place! It feels like a hole-in-the-wall because from the outside it looks like it would be a crappy restaurant. But the sushi here is really fresh. They have some interesting appetizers, like oyster shooters (which comes with a raw yolk) and ahi tuna flatbread. This place is BYOB. I wish it was easier to get here from public transit, but all in all, I would definitely come back here.
(4)
Laila C.

I just want to reiterate again how awesome this place is. Friday night dinner at Kyoto with 2 appetizers, 5 rolls and 4 pieces of nigiri for 2 professional eaters (not really, but that sounds better than 2 people with over-eating disorders) and a bottle of wine totaled to only $90. Ummm.....hello heaven. I'm so sorry I ever doubted you even the slightest. Can you ever forgive me? I love you so much babe. And your free parking.
(5)
Melanie S.

Kyoto Sushi is yet another restaurant I've drive or walked past countless times and never really noticed it. We were looking for a spot to have dinner before catching a play at the nearby Victory Gardens Theater and once I checked out the menu and reviews, it seemed like the ideal spot. We arrived early (around 6:00) and were shown to a quiet table in the back. The decor is sophisticated and wasn't what I expected. It definitely has an upscale feel to it. What I found odd was the old gay club music (think Berlin circa '95) they were playing in the background. It wasn't conducive to the warm atmosphere. We ordered a ton of stuff to start before we decided what sushi to wanted: goma-ae, vegetable gyoza, ahi tuna poke and beef asparagus rolls. Everything was really good, but the ahi tuna poke was the star. This is always one of my favorites. I love the combination of tuna, sesame and chile oil. It wasn't a huge portion for the price, but I may just be saying that because it was good that I wanted more. The goma-ae (spinach with sesame sauce) tasted good, but the sauce was a very unappetizing shade of green-brown. Once I got past the color though, I devoured it. The gyoza were nice and crispy but the beef asparagus rolls were only so-so. The asparagus was overcooked and the sauce was gloopy and way too sweet. We moved on to maki and ordered a vegetable maki (avocado/asparagus/cucumber) a spider maki, spicy tuna, and a crazy maki. They were nice enough to omit the mayo in the veg maki ( I hate mayo) and it was delicious, as were all of the other rolls. It's a solid spot for sushi and other Japanese cuisine. I would definitely return.
(4)
Adam H.

'Woohoo' is right, Yelp. We had a group of 16. Yes, 16 human people. Kyoto is a tight fit to begin with, but we wedged in and they completely accomodated us. While we waited they chilled our bottles of wine (BYOB) which was nice, then seated us at a long table where we received cucumber salads and our opened wine in ice buckets. When the time came, we ordered a lot of sushi (literally, very much) and it came at a leisurely pace which was a nice way to stagger our sampling. I can safely say that everything I ate was delicious. My only problem is that we all ordered something, then shared, so I have no idea what exactly I ate off the menu. I'm already making plans to revisit to keep track of what I eat. I can recommend the spicy roll boat because a. It tasted good (the food, not the boat) and b. the presentation is very surprising for newbies. I was a newbie. To mention again, Kyoto is BYOB so be sure to equip yourself properly. I did have to venture out into the urban jungle to hunt for more wine, not that we were ill-prepared, I just forgot how much I like to drink. I also don't believe there is a corkage fee which is awesome. Go with a group or in a pair, it doesn't really matter, go by yourself if you want, just make sure you visit and bring an apetite...and booze.
(5)
Chloe T.

The staff was quick, attentive and friendly! Started with the mussels which I have had here before. MmmMmm! Followed by 2 entrees that was excellent-Tonkatsu and teriyaki steak. Byob! Definitely will be back. We had a groupon which made it am even better.
(5)
b a.

1. Owner/manager nice. 2. Waitress bad. 3. Hair in my food---disgusting! Not much more needs to be said, won't be back. Had a groupon. Nothing like it was when we had dined a few years ago when Vizconde bros. had owned the joint... Oh well...
(1)
Christoph B.

You suck, Canada! Why did you ave to go and denounce the Kyoto Protocol on climate change? Back on topic, this sushi joint offers up a solid (if somewhat expensive) menu of sushi to Lincoln Parkers. I tried the creamy, the spicy tuna, and the avocado rolls. Heck, I even ordered the namesake Kyoto! All were good. But all I could think of while dining at Kyoto was about the weird building I was in. The restaurant is in the basement of one of the oddest structures in the city. It's like an apartment complex resembling a cruise ship with tennis courts on deck. Super duper 80's. I want to know what drugs the architects were on when they designed this place! The acoustics in here are pretty loud. I had to shout at my dining partners for most of the evening. Overall I liked the food very much. The prices, not so much.
(3)
Marissa G.

Nice, darkly-lit, low key feel, free parking, some interesting things on the menu, a little expensive, BYOB. Liked the atmosphere, it was on the garden level of a strangely shaped mall on Lincoln Ave. Good number of seats at the sushi bar, and ample number of booths. Quiet too. They also have a small alcove area that could seat about 8 in the back, great for families with kids or small parties. The best thing on the menu: the Unagi Tempura -- don't miss it. Basically a Japanese version of jalapeno poppers with cream cheese, unagi and unagi sauce. Pretty brilliant, pretty tasty. At $10.50 it was a bit pricey for 6 pieces, but the taste and originality made it worth the money and the trip to Kyoto. We ordered a mixed sashimi platter-- it was nearly 22 pieces of fish, pretty good for $23, good mix of fish, but in the end, only the white tuna was really fresh and tasty, the other slices were just okay. Ended with red bean mochi (they seem to stock a very good brand, not overly frozen, sweet but not too sweet). Total bill was $45. I might go back to try some of their cooked dishes or interesting rolls since I was so impressed with the appetizer, but not for the raw fish.
(3)
Minh D.

Cute little Japanese restaurant by century mall. There is parking in the back of the restaurant, kind of tricky to get to the parking lot. You will have to drive through the alley under the train tracks to get the the parking lot behind the restaurant. The sushi is always good and fresh here. Rice is nicely packed and the fish slice is the right thickness. Very nice and private ambiance. Excellent and genuine people working here.
(4)
Madhur T.

We got there at 9:20 and were told that the kitchen was closed. This was somewhat annoying since the restaurant hours say 10 (on Sundays) and I was told 9:30 on the phone! I must say that I have been here before and the food is actually good, but I wish they were clearer about the timings.
(2)
Anita M.

I am in Love with this place! Tucked away this unique looking almost underground shopping mall, is a true gem. I came here mainly due to the good reviews by fellow yelpers and the fact it is BYOB! Three friends and I got down and dirty with the spicy boat, some edamame and good ol bottles of Pinot. The place offers gluten free options which is a huge plus as my old roomie had a gluten allergy. We were estimated and hour wait due to our half regular and half gluten free boat and to our surprise we got it at a fraction of the time! Great service and even greater food! I cannot wait to come back!
(4)
Liz V.

My boyfriend and I came here for the first time on our anniversary, and we've been in love with it ever since! First off, the service at Kyoto is amazing. They let you leave a voicemail to make a reservation and call you back to confirm - so easy! And while they are very busy on the weekends, we've never had to wait too long for food to be served. While the prices are a bit steep, they typically have Groupon deals which keeps us coming back. I would describe Kyoto as on the higher side of mid-range sushi. The quality of the fish is always good, and the variety of rolls is great. Some of the deliciously unique rolls are: - Creamy: yes, expensive, but worth trying! Instead of seaweed, the rolls are wrapped with avocado. Yum. - Spicy Tuna Tataki & Snowball - both seared with a blow torch, which adds a nice twist to raw fish. - Party Roll: like a Miami (deep fried) but tastier - not my fav, but a winner with the bf. You also can't go wrong with the Rainbow, Caterpillar, Crunchy Salmon, or the Love boat!
(4)
Nicole S.

I've been here several times and have had excellent service and sushi each time! We got the private room that fits about 10 people for my friends birthday dinner - highly recommend if you have around that many people, it's nice and private! I've gotten the love boat and loved every roll on there - I usually can't handle spicy rolls at all but I could actually enjoy these because they weren't covered in spicy mayo! One time when I was eating at the sushi bars, the sushi chef gave us each a free piece of creamy make - to die for. Service is so wonderful... it's perfect for a group or a date night!
(5)
David D.

We had a great experience here. We got a groupon and decided to sit at the sushi bar for a weekday date night. We went with several Yelp recommended rolls and some others that the server recommended. We will go back, hopefully with another groupon. I may make it a 5-star if we have another good experience!
(4)
Theresa F.

If you like mushy sushi, go here. Twas not even worth my Groupon bucks. It was pretty packed on the Friday night that we went...not really sure why. You would think that crappy sushi would mean cheaper prices - guess again. This is definitely your college campus style sushi joint - complete with jocks slamming their Sapporo beers in the back.
(2)
Christina G.

My husband and I tried this place out last Saturday night. We had reservations for 7:30, and I'm glad we made them. When we got there, the place was packed. The food was delicious, and the only thing that made me knock a star off my review was the extremely crowded dining area. We were sat at a table that was less than 6 inches from 2 other tables. It was hard to hear one another as it was quite loud in the restaurant. Other than that, everything was great. We started off with the spicy snowball and really enjoyed it. If you want an interesting combination, try the orange sunrise. It has a bit of orange on top, which made for an interesting taste. They are currently running a promotion where you can buy a $50 gift card for $25. Good deal.
(4)
Deborah E.

Okay, Kyoto - you have us hook, line and sinker. Thanks to my addiction to all things Groupon (someone please call Betty Ford asap), my beloved and I waltzed into Kyoto recently and proceeded to have one fabulous meal. Keep in mind I am a sushi novice. I have only had it about four times in my life and each and every time I go I am so intimidated about what to order, how to order, how much to order. Well, we sat at the sushi bar where one of the busy twin sushi chefs, Carlo, promptly treated us like queens and the rest is history. "What can I get you?" Carlo said. "Well, my beloved will eat anything," I said, " and I will eat almost anything except quail eggs and eel. Yuck." So, we gave him our choices which amazingly matched HIS recommendations. "I'll fix you up - don't worry." Ahh, nothing like being taken care of by a superb Sushi Chef. Kyoto specialties - AMAZING: Spicy Snowball - rice spheres topped with super white tuna and a truffle, scallion and soy sauce. Eightball - another tasty tuna maki that was so flavorful that no sauces were needed. Ahi Flatbread - a spicy flatbread topped with small pieces of ahi tuna and mango with some tantalizing sauces (which I cannot recall). And then came the piece de resistance - the Creamy Maki = shrimp tempura, UNAGI, sweet crab, masago, mayo, rolled completely in avocado & topped with tempura crunch and UNAGI sauce. EPIC! Note emphasis of UNAGI - which is fresh water eel. Yikes! Carlo, you GOT me! Embarrassing newbie sushi-eating moment of the night: as the nine pieces of Creamy Maki were huge (see photo), I bit one in half and suddenly the other twinnie sushi chef said nicely, "they are meant to be eaten whole!" Thanks, Melvin! Even though we were so full, the Ginger creme brulee sounded too good to ignore - and we were correct. Order one - do not miss it! BYOB, free parking in the back, welcoming staff, cozy environment filled with regular customers and scrumptious sushi = Deborah Debutante and M. Lynn Vanderbilt will be back!
(5)
Regina D.

I came here a while back. I had Great sushi and one of the BEST delicious ginger salads I've ever tasted. I can't wait to come back. Highly recommend.
(5)
Joyee L.

I really don't understand what all the buzz is about. When I went to eat, I got: -inattentive service -blatantly imitation crab meat -dry, wilted cabbage -bland, overcooked edamame Considering how much I paid, it was unacceptable. To be honest, the combination platter was the most disappointing thing I've seen at a Japanese restaurant. I've gotten food way better at half the price point. I won't be back.
(1)
Ashley P.

Short and sweet review: -Ask for Will to be your server. -Eat the snowballs and summer roll. -Rinse. Repeat.
(3)
David R.

BYOB has to be the first thing noted. This is my sushi spot in Chicago. I would do UNSPEAKABLE things for their creamy roll. Keep an eye out for Groupons, cause with one this is the best sushi deal in the ole US of A. Worth making a reservation, but not completely necessary. To summarize, BYOB & creamy roll.
(5)
Colin M.

Good sushi and love that it's BYOB. Can get crowded, so I'd recommend a reservation - especially on the weekends. And, can often find a groupon - which makes it very reasonably priced.
(4)
Tim H.

My favorite sushi place in Chicago. The only thing I specifically order here is the snowball. All the other things I eat I leave up to the sushi chefs to just send out. BYOB, free parking in back, friendly and quick service, reasonable prices. This is as good as sushi gets!
(5)
Diane H.

Big fan of sushi, big fan of BYOB, put them together and you have a winner in my book. I have come to Kyoto a few times (mostly for birthday celebrations) and have always had a great time and great food. The first time I came here I almost missed it as it is tucked downstairs and not surrounded by too much else. There is plenty of seating, but it gets busy on weekend nights so a reservation is recommended. I have had a variety of rolls on the menu and all have been great. If you are in a group that likes to share, I recommend getting a boat so that you have lots of variety, and who doesn't love a sushi boat? This is a such a gem and a default when friends are looking for recommendations.
(4)
Nektaria R.

Breathtaking! Kyoto was breathtaking. Like the baby from the episode with Elaine.... I love sushi and I do not consider myself picky. I just expect fresh fish, innovative combinations and a server that knows what's good and what isn't. Kyoto really didn't impress me in any of these categories. The fish was decent but wasn't like a puff of fresh air (which is how I like to describe fresh sushi). The rolls were OK, some were better than others. The Dynamite Maki wasn't the best I've had and neither was the Unakyu Maki, something was off. The Sweet Potato Tempura Maki was OK. The entrees that we shared were the Shrimp Tempura Dinner which was average fare. The Salmon Teriyaki wasn't up to par, it tasted like Sam's Club frozen fish. The Shrimp Fried Rice was average. The Spicy Tuna Maki was pretty good and so was the Dynamite Nigiri. OK, so maybe we had too much food on the table at once, we were really hungry so that would mean that the food should taste phenomenal; which it didn't so, we'll see. I really do like the decor and the music which wasn't too loud and conversation was at a nice medium level. Our server wasn't very knowledgeable though and she did forget a few items and we had to request water, silverware, my spicy scallop! not sure, it may have been an off night for her since I can't blame it on the place being busy since there weren't, then again, I really didn't notice how many servers were working that night... oh well, benefit of the doubt, she was nice although her idea of jokes were falling flat, real flat. Not sure if I'll visit again unless I'm visiting the Space Age Tanks next door.
(3)
Peter B.

Rude service. Overpriced food. Horribly loud music. Cramped seating. Basement like atmosphere. Where do I sign up?
(1)
Charlie S.

Went on a Groupon and was moderately pleased. The sushi is mid-level and the service friendly, however the restaurant itself is LOUD. So loud that I had to shout straight into my friend's ears for them to hear. If you want to have dinner with the noise level of a CTA train passing overhead, this is your spot on a Friday night. Also, in comparison to other sushi restaurants, the sushi is not well priced. For $65 we got around 40-50 pieces. That is way over $1 per piece.
(3)
Nancy H.

The sushi chefs here are very talented and creative! You won't ever have a meal like this anywhere because Kyoto mixes authentic Japanese dishes with Americanized sushi and some that you just haven't seen anywhere else. Some of my favorite items from the menu: 1) "Dynamite Appetizer" = baked oyster shell filled with baby scallops, shrimp, spicy mayo, and masago 2) "Snowball" = super white tuna nigiri shaped as a ball and topped with uni (sea urchin) 3) salmon belly nigiri (it's SO soft) 4) "Gracie's cocktail" = warm soba noodles w/chili paste in a martini glass w/scallops, shrimp, veggies, and mayo drizzle 5) "Creamy maki" = shrimp tempura rolled with thin sheets of avocado (instead of seaweed) Not sure if these items are regularly on the menu, but I've also had these at Kyoto and loved them: 1) deep fried eel stuffed with jalapeno & cream cheese (like a jalapeno popper!) 2) ginger infused creme brulee The staff is friendly, the restaurant is cozy, there's a free parking lot in the back, and it's BYOB, so go!
(5)
Chris W.

Low quality fish to make up for the loss in BYOB sales. If your stomach can handle White Castle than you'll be good
(1)
Molly H.

This is a great spot! My boyfriend and I went for dinner last night after finding the Groupon, and we had a delicious dinner! Earlier reviews mentioned that it has a sketchy, basement-style entrance, but it's totally fine...just a few steps downstairs and it opens up into the restaurant which is clean and nicely decorated. Nice ambiance, but I can imagine it gets kind of loud and crowded later in the night...if you don't have a reservation (which they do take), I'd recommend going on the early side (we showed up around 5:45 PM and were seated immediately). The tables are pretty close together. It's BYOB with a $5 corkage fee, which is a plus for sure, and they gave us a tasty cucumber/vinaigrette salad as a complimentary appetizer. We got a variety of maki rolls including spicy tuna, Alaska, NY, shrimp tempura (slightly dry, it needs a sauce), and a specialty roll called Salmon Crunch, which was great. Everything tasted fresh, had a good amount of fish, and wasn't too heavy on the rice. All servers were friendly and attentive. I am new to Chicago, but in my opinion the prices seemed on par or better than we have seen around the city. Great location, food, and prices without the pretentious atmosphere of some sushi places. We will definitely be buying more Groupons and going back!!
(5)
Hatice Y.

Melvin and Carlos best sushi chef in town fro me. everytime I visit their restaurant I sit at the bar and request my special. let me tell you why . because I am raw vegan means no animal products also uncooked if possible:) these two guys create amazing sushi with limited items. I love avocado rolls. if yo are vegeterien or vegan go to Kyoto. They have no limits to serve for you
(5)
Sarah C.

Good food but be careful with your groupon! I dont normally take away stars due to service but this time I feel like I need to. It was busy for a Sunday night and our table was thoroughly ignored. Had to flag down the waitress to get menus, then to order, and again to ask for the check. When we presented our groupon the $45 was subtracted from our order after tax was charged on our purchase (so the bill was ~$5, which was all tax). This is ILLEGAL. You do not pay tax on an amount that you did not actually pay. In this case you should only be charged tax for the $20 you spent on the groupon and any additional cost over $45. We had to catch a show later and didnt have time to sort this out with the clearly overworked waiters so we paid the tip and incorrect tax but we definitely didnt appreciate this practice of overcharging their customers.
(3)
Jonathan B.

Great service. On my walk home after getting take out, they called to tell me they realized they goofed up my order. To make up for it, they drove what they forgot to my doorstep. When I got home, I was very happy with the food quality.
(5)
Lola K P.

Still a Fan, good food, friendly staff, and Tony is a great host! We've always been treated wonderfully every time we visit, and we have a good time. That said, I do need to add a note - this last Saturday night, it was packed and hopping, with some extra-boisterous college-age kids celebrating birthdays - they're smack dab in University territory. But it was a bit disconcerting to notice that this time we were the absolute oldest people in the joint - the next oldest person in there was at least 2 decades younger than us. Awww, we're gettin' old. Just a heads-up. Of course, the 20-somethings will love it! - maybe we'll stick to weeknights. Still a recommend!
(4)
Cindy D.

Very expensive compared to food quality because the food is really just so so. Don't order noodles, no flavor at all, just water broth!! sushi ok... nothing special... anyways, will not recommend it to others and will not go again...
(2)
Lesley H.

AMAZING maki. Rolls were delicious. I highly recommend the Snowball appetizer. And it's BYO! I haven't tried the sashimi or nagiri, so I can't comment on those. The people are friendly, too. It's a little tight in spots, but otherwise wonderful.
(4)
Michael B.

Just ok. Sushi is not bad but not great. Service is good. Decor is a bit tired. Tables are packed. Can hardly move between them. For how many sushi restaurants there are that serve alcohol this one which is BYOB isn't worth a return trip. Not sure why there are so many high ratings by others. The flat screen behind the bar was incongruous.
(2)
Dawn H.

Thanks to an introduction by Groupon, my fiance and I came here to check it out on a Saturday night. It took a while to park though. Yeah, we did our research and were aware of the free parking available behind the restaurant (which is advertised). However, the lot was full (at 6 pm). Blah. The food lowdown: 1) Tempura appetizer: (4 stars) - variety of vegetables including sweet potato, regular potato, broccoli, onions, green beans, and shrimp (by the way, how do they get a shrimp to be that elongated?) $6.95 2) Creamy Maki: (4 stars) - avocado wrapped around shrimp tempura, unagi, spicy mayo, and roe with tempura flakes...quite possibly the highlight of the meal $16 for 9 pieces 3) Philadelphia Maki: (2 stars) - fresh salmon, cream cheese, scallions...nothing special $5.95 for 6 pieces 4) Spicy Scallop Maki: (3 stars) - fresh scallops, roe, spicy mayo, came with cucumber despite not being listed.....nothing special $5.95 for 6 pieces 5) Steak Teriyaki: (4 stars) - tender steak with an awesome teriyaki sauce that rivals the teriyaki sauce at Izumi $17.95 As far as untangibles, the service was slightly slow that night despite a 50% occupancy. Our water went unfilled for more than 10 minutes at one point (biggest gripe). We tried to maneuver around this by ordering diet coke, but beware as you'll be charged by the can (no free refills). Just a warning. Overall, decent sushi at a not-so decent price with mediocre service. Can find other competitive sushi bars in the area for sure.
(3)
Saba A.

As soon as we walked in, we loved the place. It was intimate, friendly chat volume, and comfortable. 50 percent of the place was full on a early Saturday night, and they asked us where we wanted to sit. Our waitress was friendly and gave us details about the sushi's. My favorite was the one with sweet potato (vege). You have to get that if you decide to go! They came out quick and you see the sushi chef's making sushi in the back. They work hard! The sushi was delicious and tasted fresh! I would make a reservation if you can, but I don't think you have to! Next time I'm in the area, I will go again, well, if I have a groupon!
(4)
Alex S.

Great BYOB spot in Lincoln Park. I have been here more times than I can count and love the Binon and Miami rolls. Great for groups or dates, and the service is tops. I would highly recommend calling ahead if you are going on a Friday or Saturday.
(4)
Jane S.

This was one of the first sushi places I went to and although my boyfriend raved about it, I was not impressed. The atmosphere was good and the fact that it's BYOB is a plus. Our server was nice and attentive and even suggested some rolls for us to try, but the sushi itself was just OK. I literally cannot even tell you which rolls I had as they were completely unmemorable!! Due to us having a groupon for this place we will be going back, and I will update the review if I think the sushi is better the second time around.
(3)
Andre W.

I am a brand new member of the Groupon community ever since they had the big sushi deal for some other restaurant (names will remain anonymous). I had been hoping another deal would be on the horizon soon and this week my wish came true. $25 to eat $50 worth of sushi at Kyoto! I was having some drinks downtown with my lady and some friends and suddenly three of us had a sushi craving. Luckily I had my groupon in my pocket! We jumped on the Red Line and got off on Fullerton, walked a couple of blocks north on Lincoln and there we were. The entrance led us downstairs to a nice, medium sized, mildy cramped, nicely lit sushi haven. One of the hosts greeted us immediately and asked if we have a reservation. I told him no and he said we were in luck and there was a table available. I gave him my groupon and he seated us. It was a pretty crowded night as we were not the only groupon users. This place is BYOB and I forgot so we had a sober meal. I had been drinking enough before I arrived so I was ok. For an appetizer, we went with the seaweed salad which was good. We decided to go with Spicy Tuna (always a must), Sake Maki (salmon), Oshinko Maki (Japanese pickle), Tekka Maki (tuna), Fiesta Maki (tuna, salmon, jalepeno & cilantro) and one of the specials The Snowball (super white tuna, truffle, scallion & soy sauce). They were all great, but the show stealers were the Snowball and the Fiesta as both were overly delicious. The yellow ginger was great also. We waited quite awhile for the food but it was well worth the wait. After finishing our meal, the guy that runs the place (Tony) thanked us for coming out and that he hoped we enjoyed the meal and I told him yes and I definately will return. He told me Fridays and Saturdays are packed, but because of the Groupon it had really gotten busy. He said weekdays are good days to show up to have the twin brother sushi masters make something special that is not on the menu as they are the ones responsible for the specials that are on the menu. They will make something for you only if you get the seats where they are preparing the goods. I will definately be aiming for those seats next time around! Good stuff here!!!! I did indeed return and again went for the Fiesta and it was not a one hit wonder! It was as good as the first time around. We got seats at the sushi bar, but it was too packed so the twins could not prepare anything special this time around. Its ok, because the sushi was still delicious
(5)
Lauren H.

Thanks to Groupon, I got to try a lot of items (ate it over the course of a couple of meals). I tried: Tempura Tobiko (1 black, 1 red) Escolar Dynamite (Sushi) Snowball Miami roll Service was friendly, food was ready when I got there (I called ahead for carry-out), and it tasted good. Nice to have another neighborhood option.
(4)
Sacha B.

We went a week ago for my birthday dinner after seeing 'Million Dollar Quartet' next door. Missed our 6PM reservation but had no problem moving it to after the show. The five of us shared the spicy boat, Miami roll, and party roll (if I remember correctly, it was a special). The food was delicious and the waitress was very personable and efficient. The restaurant was dark but (1) it's in a basement and (2) it was 10PM at night so I expected that. What made the experience really stand out for me was the customer service focus of the owner. He was friendly when we arrived (to seat us) and super helpful when we returned to the parking lot to find our car battery dead. Without hesitation he found some cables and came out to give us a jump start. Our waitress used her car, and the two of them couldn't be nicer. Now THAT'S full service.
(5)
Katie R.

this place was good, but not the best, and i wouldn't go out of my way to get it. thus, 3 stars (sorry kyoto, i'm trying not to rate so many businesses 4 stars as i usually do.. you are my first test of will-power). BYOB. edamame was standard. i'd definitely recommend the crunch salmon. the fireball was a nice balance of flavors but FAR too spicy for me (even after picking out the jalapeno) but great for spice lovers. now, yelp you led me astray because i ordered the creamy based on recommendations, and it was well, just that. overly creamy, infact, without any contrast. i love creamy, too. :shrugs:. we got our appetizer with our sushi - we ordered it a bit late though - the eight ball. i was disappointed because i really though it would be a ball! it was a bit more of a triangle. sorry, i get excited for strange things like that. anyway the flavor was good but overall the dish wasn't great and not worth the price. in fact, nothing screamed "FRESH!" to me the entire meal or was overly delicious and thus not worth the total price (my groupon helped, though!). service was good, decor was a bit vanilla but clean.
(3)
Ramya P.

Sumptuous Sushi! Me and a few pals were here on a crowded Friday night. I strongly suggest a reservation during the weekends. They have a large menu with plenty of vegetarian options. We got the Vegetable gyoza (the potstickers) and the Veggie paradise... It was very tasty. It was so good that my husband who is not a huge fan of sushi exclaimed with delight. Our friends who got the Rainbow and the Orange sunshine maki loved it too. Its another BYOB gem in the neighborhood.
(5)
Kathleen S.

This is my favorite sushi place in this area. Try any of the crunch rolls, and get them spicy. Seriously delicious rolls. It's gotten a bit crazy since they started doing groupons - sometimes they act a lot busier than they look (or they just haven't quite mastered the art of timing reservations) so I go sit at the bar instead of a table if it's just me and one other person. But if you can snag a table, it's definitely worth a go, and a return trip. I agree that it's not cheap for sushi in LP, but I usually go get one fancy roll and one simple one (love me some spicy tuna), so it's not outrageous. They definitely don't skimp on the fish in the rolls, so you at least get your money's worth. Also, they do gift card deals - you can buy a gift card for your next visit for a discount, or snag a groupon, which they seem to do pretty often. Also, their takeout also doesn't suffer by not being plated or simply by being takeout - it's delicious, just like in the restaurant. Yum. In sum, their sometimes annoying habit of leaving empty tables and then saying they're super busy is trumped by delicious sushi. Go.
(5)
Russell B.

When I went the sushi was good but the service was slow. $5 corkage fee and free parking in the back are bonuses. I would order the creamy roll again when I go back.
(4)
S K.

WORST SERVICE EVER!! DO NOT PURCHASE GROUPON DEAL because there is no point in coming here. its is not worth the $$ or the energy to eat here. First of all, the service was very slow. All of our food came out so late and one of the item did not come out. When I asked what happened to it the server became startled and said that "it normally takes long" and went to the back to talk to the sushi chefs. Later after a while as passed again, i asked her AGAIN AND SHE SAID SHE ACCIDENTALLY GAVE THE ORDER TO THE WRONG TABLE without any sign of feeling sorry. I think i ended up saying the word "RIDICULOUS" at one poing and later i hear her talking VERY LOUDLY AS IF SHE WANTS ME TO HEAR to the sushi chefs "...AND SHE THINKS ITS RIDICULOUS" She rolled her eyes, gave me the looks, basically saying, "so what? i don't care" I ASKED FOR THE MANAGER BUT THE MANAGER WAS NOT THERE -____- it was so ridiculous that we were unable to swallow any food that came from that restaurant then on and basically left without paying any tip. The food FINALLY came out, but we just left it thinking they probably spat on it lol we didn't eat a single bite of the creamy roll. Of course we paid the full price for the food, but NO TIP WHATSOEVER!!!! im still get so angry thinking about this place!!!!
(1)
Sarah I.

I wish yelp would do 1/2 stars! I would actually give Kyoto 4.5 stars. I've been to Kyoto a few times now and each time has been delish! They staff and manager are very friendly...great service. Everything is so fresh! Some of my favs: The Creamy, Fireball and Miami. Next time I will have to try the Spicy Tuna Tataki Maki since I've heard great things about it. I also love that they have specials such as $50 gift card for $25 and when they have Groupons. The reason I didn't give Kyoto 5 stars is that I feel like it is a little more expensive and some of the rolls aren't as big for how much money they are. Other than that, I love Kyoto and will definitely be back!
(4)
John Z.

Solid sushi. I'm a big fan of the Spicy Snowball and Spicy Tuna Tataki. Overpriced if you don't have a coupon, but BYOB helps.
(4)
Kate B.

I went at 5:30 on a Friday night and there was no wait and the service was great! Around 6:30 there was a line out the door and service definitely got slower. But no matter how long you wait, it's WORTH it. Don't rush brilliance. We ordered (per Yelpers suggestions) the Spicy Snowballs (my all night favorite) Flamin Dynamite (a great appetizer!) the Crunchy Salmon roll (amazing!) and at that point we realized we couldn't go wrong. We asked the server to tell the chef to make us anything he wanted. From there we got three rolls that weren't on the menu that were just to die for. One of them was covered in roe- which I'm usually hit or miss on- and I have never had such flavorful roe in my life. Delicious. I can't recommend going off-menu enough. This place is FABULOUS. It's an intimate setting for conversation and taste bud explosion. I will take all of my out-of-town friends here to see what Chicago is all about.
(5)
Alison C.

I'm from California and I ate here while visiting family in Chicago and I LOVED all the sushi! I really wish you could open another restaurant in the Los Angeles area. The eight ball, spicy snowball and stuffed tomato were my favorites! I also ate the spicy tuna tataki maki, fireball maki, and fiesta maki, all of which were delicious. Another plus is that it is "Bring your own booze". I have yet to find a sushi place that allows this in my area. We had a group of 8 and they gave us a back room to sit in. It was nice and kept our loud group a but secluded from the rest of the restaurant. The atmosphere plus BYOB plus family time made for an awesome sushi experience! Even though I am surrounded by sushi in LA, I find myself craving Kyoto. Thank you for the yummy sushi, I hope to return one day. :)
(5)
Michael S.

So went here without looking on yelp first to guide me.. I know, i know.. I live life so dangerously.. Anyways, really glad we dropped in to this place before watching Million Dollar Quartet! Not sure who Jonathan is in terms of the restaurant, but he was really friendly. Sat us down in a weird table where I faced another guy 2 tables down and we could see each other.. Kind of weird for that layout, but ah well.. he wasn't bad looking or distracting that it stopped me from surveying the rest of the place. It did seem more like a lounge with its blue lights and decor. I did like it though. There is an area near the front that would be great for a bar it seems.. maybe something to think about. We got some japanese pickles (I think it's called Oshinko) on the house brought out by the guy named Jonathan. Also, a sushi chef came out and brought us unagi tempura.. Really thought that was really nice of them to do so.. Ordered the snowball maki (super white tuna over rice spheres with truffle/truffle oil on top).. really good.. It was delicate tasting and really delicious. Also had the spicy scallop which I thought was spicy, but didn't overpower the scallop too much.. another winner with that one.,. had the orange sunshine which had shrimp tempura, crab, and orange slices.. I liked this one a lot too, but not as much as the first two mentioned. Last, but not least we had the crazy maki as well... just like other crazy makis.. can't remember what is in it right now, but it was good.. The fish for everything was fresh and they do have free parking in the back! Loved the service and how we were treated here... Will definitely come back.. Thanks Kyoto!
(5)
Hil B.

Found out about this place via groupon. All the food items we ordered were excellent ... shrimp shumai, orange sunshine maki, salmon teriyaki combo. The combo is their bento box. The server was very polite and offered suggestions on the menu when asked. I would def visit this restaurant again.
(4)
Julie F.

Small rolls and I've had better quality sushi for sure. Not worth it to me even with a groupon!
(1)
Whitney L.

I got started on the wrong foot with Kyoto. My boyfriend and I had a weekend sushi deal ($20 for $40) and headed over there last weekend before finding out that Taste of Lincoln was happening (insert loud uncomfortable groan). We finally found parking, pushed our way through the crowd, got to the front door...and it was locked. We were pretty upset, this being a Saturday night and all, but we persevered and went down the road to Nan's. Back to action this past weekend, we headed over to Kyoto Friday night with a bottle of wine in hand. They have a little parking lot around back which was convenient once no parking was to be found on Lincoln Ave. We came in through a back door into the tiny, tiny restaurant that is Kyoto. We stumbled our way up front where we were greeted pretty hastily. The owner/manager was not pleased that we didn't have a reservation and was very short with us.... until we realized my boyfriend knew a server there. Then the charm came out. We were seated after waiting 10-15 minutes...and I guarantee it was only because we knew the girl. (MAKE A RESERVATION, FOLKS) We were on a schedule so we quickly glanced at the menu and made some decisions. Of course we got the spicy snowball and of course my fellow Yelpers didn't let me down. So warm and delicious. We also ordered the creamy roll (TOP FIVE BEST ROLLS EVER), the crunch salmon maki (the honey in the ingredients had us dreaming of the honey bee from cafe sushi), and the orange sunshine maki (slices of orange on top!). All three were fantastic. The food came out faster than any sushi restaurant...no...any restaurant period, that I have ever been to. My only irks are this: -The food came out so fast and we had such a tiny table that it was hard to juggle all plates. -Not all three of our sushi rolls came out together. I like rotating each piece as I eat, instead we ate full rolls until the others came out. -It was LOUD. I mean, LOUD. But, thats what you get at a sushi place on a friday night in Lincoln park. Those trixies getting all buttered and sushi'd up before their night out...screeching ensues. I cannot wait to return to this place...on a weekday....
(4)
Hannah P.

Surprisingly very busy for a Tuesday evening. My bf and I have been here before about a year ago so we thought we would stop by again since we were in the area. Service was a bit slow for us but I really liked the salmon teriyaki and we also enjoyed the rolls we ordered (can't recall them). Nothing out of the ordinary here but the food is good! Will return.
(4)
Gia G.

I loveeee this place! I used to live in lincoln park and it's honestly one of the restaurants that I miss the most. The sushi is reasonably priced and always fresh. The staff is friendly and accommodating. The service is usually quick even on busy nights. I highly highly recommend the Unagi Tempura. It's one of their specials and it's out of this world. Whenever I've brought someone new to this location, they've always raved about the unagi tempura and cited it as their favorite. Each time I'm back in the area, I make it a point to visit this location. I used to order it twice weekly and I might just move back to the area so I can do it all over again!
(5)
Marc V.

The twin chefs are true artist. Food is very good. A bit busy during Friday and Saturday hour dinner rush, so you need to phone in ahead and make reservations. I always come with a group of friends and ask for the Omakase (Chef's choice). You can't go wrong!
(5)
Kelly A.

I must have walked by this place a hundred, if not more, and never thought to try it out. It just looked like your average sushi restaurant. In other words, nothing to write home about. But boy was I wrong. The spicy boat was delicious and seemed like a fair price for 6 rolls, many of which were more specialty roles. The flavors were great and there wasn't a single thing that tasted off. Their rolls are a little less creative overall than what I've found at Tank, my favorite Chicago sushi restaurant, but still very delicious and worlds above a standard sushi restaurant. I think my only complaint was that the $5 per bottle BYOB fee really adds up quickly so in the future I'd probably be more mindful and bring no more than 1-2 bottles for the table. We easily had 1 bottle per person and the extra $20 on the bill really smarted. Clearly the answer is probably that we should drink less. :-) My other tip would be to absolutely get a reservation. The wait otherwise was upwards of 45 minutes on a Friday night, which wouldn't be bad except there really is no good place to wait in the restaurant and obviously, no bar. Tank in Lincoln Square still remains my favorite for its creative specialty rolls, but this place is easily another good option when I'm in the Lincoln Park area.
(4)
Hannah C.

If you're looking for an upper-brow sushi joint whose average customer age is around 40, this is not your place. However, if you're looking for high-quality sushi at a reasonable price with BYOB and a great atmosphere on the weekend or weeknight, go here. Kyoto has become our friends' watering hole on Friday or Saturday nights/for big casual birthdays, and even for a quick bite on a Tuesday. It gets super busy on weekends so make sure to make a rez, and if you come on a weekday and you drive, there's convenient parking in the back. Service is surprisingly amazing considering all the young, drunk people who tend to congregate at Kyoto past 10 on a Friday or Saturday (thanks to BYOB, and I'm not complaining). There's even a back room that can fit around 15 if need be. Lastly, they recently started carrying the gluten free tamari (soy sauce), but they had unfortunately ran out the last time I was there so call ahead if you can to double check that they have it -- that way you can save yourself the hassle of carrying around a bottle filled with your own GF soy sauce (just me??...).
(5)
Maegin C.

Best sushi I've had in Chicago so far. The creamy is amazing, the Miami is fantastic! A little pricey compared to Ringo down the street but you pay for Taste and quality of sushi. The service the first time was fantastic, the second time our waitress was terrible. Get there early if you want a table or sit at the bar if you have two people. Also, watch out for the groupon deals they have every once in a while. It definitely worth it!
(4)
Ryan L.

Kyoto is a BYOB Sushi Restaurant. It can't get any better than that...until you have the food. I have been there several times and it gets better and better every time. My advice...sit at the bar and have the chef's choose your meal for you. The spicy snowball is a great way to start off before dinner. The orange roll is awesome but again...sit at the bar and ask them to choose your meal...its great. The interior is very cool with 1 flat screen. It can get loud because it is not huge but not too loud. Its definitely worth stopping by multiple times. Kyoto is by far a 5 star! Love this place.
(5)
Nick M.

I don't know how to say it so I just put it out there... Kyoto gave me an STD, actually they gave me a few STD's. Who knew this little hole in the wall could do something like that?! I mean it's not like I haven't had a few STD's before, but never from a sushi joint or at least never this many. Now before you start scratching for more info let me back track and say that I don't understand the need to make disgusted faces at me for liking STD's. Come on, they make your body feel alive! What would this world be like without them... boring is what! Anyways, I was at a bar having a few drinks before dinner at Kyoto when I accidentally overheard a few girls talking about STD's and the one was complaining about she just got over one blah, blah, blah. A lot more complaining occurred before I had enough and went over. I was like "STD's are awesome", "I will eat the shit out of an STD", "what are your problems?!?". They gave me this disgusted look and one almost vomited in her own mouth. I don't understand what is wrong with people... S imple T asty D ishes at Kyoto Asparagus Maki Philadelphia Maki Sweet Potato Tempura Maki Inari Maki Fireball Spicy Tuna Tatak Edamame The selection of vegetarian sushi is amazing! The service is excellent, they give great recommendations. FYI the spicy Tuna will blow your mind!! If I keep getting STD's at Kyoto, I might just live there!
(4)
Karen S.

I got a Living Social deal for this place ($20 for $40), and I'm so happy I tried it! My gf and I shared a delicious appetizer called the spicy snowball. She enjoyed a couple of rolls for her entree, and I had the chicken katsu. Everything was so good and totally fresh. The interior of this restaurant reminded me of my time in Japan. We also really liked our server. She had some great recommendations. Definitely going to return!
(5)
Grace Y.

Upon looking at the pictures on Yelp, I was a little apprehensive since the sushi chefs were not Japanese, but you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover! Kyoto was off the hook. This was my second time visiting Chicago and this was probably the best place I've been to so far or at least the most comparable to San Francisco food. It also helps that this place is BYOB and that I came here with a group of 6 and we ordered pretty much the entire menu. They gave us a sweet private room and all the ingredients were fresh and satiating. Some of my favorite rolls: Fireball, spicy tuna tataki, salmon skin maki. The only complaint I had about this place was our waitress had a stank face on like she hasn't been laid in a while. She was also borderline annoying when she insisted that we might not want beer glasses because it would "crowd the table" even though our table was for 8 and we were 6 people. Why don't you just say, "Please don't sake bomb?" To which I could reply, it's BYOB! Great place to come with friends and I think it would actually be a cute place for a date too since the ambience is nice as well.
(4)
Peter N.

Sushi chefs are awesome! My girlfriend and I come quite often and usually always sit at the sushi bar to try and learn their secrets to making a perfectly shaped roll. Well I guess we WAY go too often because when we dropped by this past weekend on a slow day, the chef greeted us and we chatted for a few minutes while he was making some rolls. Then he handed us one of them (fo' free, SWEET!).
(5)
Rebecca H.

I've been back because of the atmosphere and sushi.
(4)
J and S.

One of my favorite places in the city! 1. Friendly Service! Everything comes pretty quickly, they don't push you out the door (because there is usually plenty of open tables)- which means you can take full advantage of #4! 2. Good Location - walking distance from Diversey or Fullerton EL stop (not super close, but do-able), and on the Lincoln bus route, you can also usually find some parking nearby. 3. Food. Fresh Fish, All the staples (great Philly & spicy tuna) and a few tasty specialties... I've liked everything I've ordered (Note: I am very picky about food... so I typically stick to the more plain options) 4. BYOB... need I say more? Lack of a 5th Star = nothing too special about it, average decor, nothing extraordinary on the menu, etc. Not a first date spot, but a good spot for a "lets grab dinner tonight" spot.
(4)
Zach M.

Atmosphere is great. Another "small" but comfortable feel. The sushi and sashimi is amazing. Though all the sushi rolls we had are great my favorite was by far the creamy roll, a Kyoto specialty. This could be a really great place for groups of 4 to 10 people. Just make sure you put in a reservation. It gets really busy at night!
(5)
Dani M.

Kyoto proved to be the perfect place to break my two-month long (involuntary) sushi hiatus. A Groupon brought me here, but the food and service is well worth the full price. I split four rolls with one other person and was pretty full afterwards. Although that might have had something to do with us downing a bottle of delicious sake (like most of the other zillion Asian restaurants in the Chi, Kyoto's BYOB--with a $5 corkage fee). The four Kyoto specialty rolls that we ordered: * Crunchy salmon * Spicy tuna tataki * Fireball * Orange sunrise Each one was pretty damned tasty, but I'd say the spicy tuna tataki is great if you're looking for a spicier roll (it's spicier than most other spicy tuna maki that I've tried), and the orange sunrise had a fresh, welcoming flavor after the other, slightly heavier rolls. The service was great, and the dÃ©cor is perfect for dinner (nice mood lighting). I made a reservation, but I'm not sure that was necessary for a Thursday at 8 p.m.--it was busy, but there were several tables open when we got there. Can't wait to come back!
(4)
Jessy P.

We love coming here on quiet week ngihts, but in the weekends it's delivery for sure! First, the guy that takes you order over the phone is so funny and friendly, one of the best people to give your order to ever. If a problem comes up he calls you right back to double check your order or credit card number. Honesty and funny is always the way to go! The food is always fresh and yummy, and arrives exactly how you want it! Kyoto is the way to go!
(5)
Michelle Z.

My family and I have been coming to Kyoto for years and I was extremely disappointed with the service this time. The sushi is excellent and cannot be beat. But our waitress was inattentive and forgetful. We never got out miso soups. She admitted that she simply forgot because she was focusing on other things. The honesty was appreciated but we still wanted our miso soup. Also when we finished our table wasn't cleared for a very long time. Overall it'll be a while before I come back.
(2)
Molly A.

I love this place! A lot of other people do too, though, so you should definitely make reservations. Luckily, the couple we were with had thought about this, so like royalty, we were seated the moment we entered, despite tons o' people waiting in line on a Saturday night. It's also BYOB (always an amazing feature!) and conveniently located across the street from a liquor store. We had the edamame, which, although a simple dish, can easily be ruined with over or undercooking. It was perfectly boiled and salted. Hopefully the fact that we were all starving by the time we got to the restaurant doesn't bias my review at all :) We tried the oyster shooters, which were amazing, spicy and different. They didn't taste overly fishy, the way oysters sometimes can, and the Tabasco on top added the perfect amount of fire. The quail egg also adds a wonderful texture to these bite sized shooters. We impetuously ordered a boat, having eyed other tables enjoying them. It came filled to the brim with deliciously spicy rolls that we gobbled up in no time. Also, considering the individual prices of rolls, it was kind of a steal. Each of the individual rolls had a distinct taste, and we all had our favorites. Mine was the Dynamite Roll, but I'm also a sucker for good Unagi. Despite the hustle and bustle, the service was quite good! One server (not even ours) walking by, noticed that we were low on Soy Sauce and filled us up right away. Water glasses were never empty, and everyone was amiable and friendly. Definitely recommend this place, and since they gave us a generous ten dollars off coupon, we'll definitely be returning!
(5)
Joanna L.

I've been here twice. The first time it was great. The 2nd, not so much. The first time I came here I really enjoyed my sushi. They have a great selection of rolls that are really yummy. I had 2 friends that got sick the next day, and weren't sure why. The 2nd time I came here with some friends, 2 of them and myself got incredibly sick the next day - so bad I ended up in the ER. It was likely food poisoning. Needless to say, I will not be coming back here.
(2)
Laurie V.

I feel bad updating a review so negatively, but I am pretty annoyed with what happened last night and feel that it is fair to mention. We called to place a carry out order and had great service from the woman on the phone. I am pregnant and we were being careful to only have cooked items and she was clear that nothing would have roe on it. Waited well over an hour for our order, drove 20 minutes home and then discovered everything coated in raw eggs. It took us forever to get them to pick up the phone again and then we got a small apology and an offer to try again tomorrow. He was like, "Oh yeah, says here no raw, no roe, etc!" That helped me how? We'll try it again next week but it was still a bad experience. It was my husband's birthday and this was supposed to be a nice meal. In the end it was a lonely meal for him as I ate a Chobani yogurt on the couch.
(2)
James Michael S.

THIS PLACE ROCKS! Order these and you'll be happy. Creamy Snowball Spicy Tuna Tataki Maki - this could be the best roll I've ever eaten, period.
(5)
Kat S.

Had another great experience here! Please please make a reservation if coming on a Friday or Saturday, after the groupon deal this place got really busy. However, all it takes is calling around 5pm when they open and you're in. I also have never waited for longer than 20 minutes for take-out. Easy! Anyway, the staff is so wonderful here. Super nice and chill. We got the spicy boat again (I can't stay away), delicious as always. This is my go-to place for sushi now, I'll miss it when I move!
(5)
Gretel S.

We loved this place. We were regular sushi eaters when we lived in Chicago, but this place blew our socks off. Their regular rolls were fantastic, but the snowball took the cake. To this day, I've not found a place with such delicate, flavorful sushi.
(5)
Eriko K.

Sit at the counter and eat the sushi! Loved the snowball, which has white tuna, truffle oil, melts in your mouth! Someone posted photos of this item. All the rolls are beautifully crafted -- everything we ate were unique creations of the chef. Twin sushi chefs have nice smiles -- very pleasant. We went right at 5 on a Saturday and sat at the sushi bar with our 5 year-old. All the staff were very kind to our kid. They also are open for lunch on Saturday from 11 to 2. I've got some photos so please take a look.
(4)
A.A. B.

I am not one to frequent restaurants as I love trying new places and food, but I have become a regular at this place. I love everything I have ever tried on their menu. I think the creamy roll is hands down the greatest sushi roll invention of all time. I highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Sonia B.

I had been sitting on a Groupon here for some time, and figured I could utilize it for a long-overdue double date with some friends. We didn't think to make reservations, but my friend decided to on the off chance they were busy that night for dinner. She left a voicemail for them, and surprisingly went off without a hitch. We were greeted right away, and was very surprised to find the host recognize my friend's voice from the message! We were seated in a half-booth, and were very comfortable. The atmosphere is very cozy, dim-lit, and quiet-with exception to the party room filled with patrons enjoying their dinner and conversation. My date and I being the avid food lovers that we are, already studied the menu beforehand, and knew what we were ordering. I got the Spicy Tuna Tatake, while he ordered the Kyoto Roll-both lived up to the hype. The Spicy Tuna was a blend of perfect flavors, and had a great kick of spice, more so than other restaurants. I really enjoyed it. The Kyoto Roll was a great compliment to my roll because it was light and refreshing. My friend ordered the Creamy Roll which was unbelievably good. I believe it was the most expensive roll on the menu at $17-a bit high, but worth every penny. My other friend is a vegan, so luckily they had a great vegetarian section to choose from. He ordered the Shitake and Avacado Maki and the Asparagus Maki. He seemed to like the Shitake and Avacado more, so he got 2 orders. To top it off, it's BYOB, so my girlfriend and I pretty much split a bottle of bubbly by ourselves. Yum! We underestimated the quantity of the food, and were afraid it wouldn't be enough, but boy were we wrong. I was quite full at the end, and very happy I got to try different menu items. I would highly recommend coming here, and can't wait to come back. Yay Kyoto!
(4)
Kelly S.

I know I know, people reading this are probably thinking this chick must be obsessed a third review?! Honestly, I can't help it. Kyoto is just that good. Usually, in the city it goes like this: The first time you go your awestruck by the place so you don't really pick out things that could be wrong, Second time? You're more interested in trying something new to try. Third time? You have more time to take in your surroundings and really feeeeeeeel the experience. My third time at Kyoto? Still as good as the first. Things to note: -Getting them on the phone can be tricky, but they have a great turn around for calling you back. I had left a message for reservations, got a hold of them, and they still called me after reviewing the voice mail! -Their prices went up, which is kind of disappointing but understandable with all the success they've been having, you still get the same quality if not better -They used to give complimentary marinated cucumbers when you sat down, now they charge you for them =\ -If you want to get sushi with variety I suggest a SUSHI BOAT, you get an abundance worth the $$$ Bonus Points: One of the owners came over to our table and chatted with us for awhile, not something that's done that often. Super super nice! p.s Their groupons expire in the middle of March so expect an increase in customers if your planning on going!
(5)
Lily S.

Kyoto deserves 4.5 stars: Starters: 5 stars Main Course: 3 stars Service: 5 stars So all in all, I thought Kyoto was worth the drive. There is a free lot behind the restaurant, which is great for Lincoln Park! For starters: my friend and I ordered - Dynamite; Two flaming oyster shells with scallops and shrimp inside. MOUTH WATERING. My friend and I were so intrigued by the flames, it made the dish that much better. Warning: this dish is a little spicy -Spicy Snowball; White tuna over rice with spicy chili sauce. IT WAS AMAZING! My favorite dish of the night. You would think that it wouldn't be that great cause it's just a ball of rice, but they put some kind of oil/soy sauce into the rice and the whole thing just melts in your mouth. It tasted.. fluffy.. if a snowball had taste, i wish it would taste like this -Takoyaki; fried octopus balls topped with tonkatsu sauce and mayo. I have been on a voyage to look for good takoyaki since I went to Vancouver and had takoyaki at the night markets/Guu. This was not close but it was better than a lot of other japanese Izakaya places I've been too. PLUS, there were 5 in an order instead of 4! -Seaweed Salad; regular seaweed salad. My friend said she liked it. For Main dishes: I ordered Nabe Yaki Udon: It was ok at best. The broth wasn't very flavorful and the chicken was really really dry. My friend ordered two types of sushi rolls -Fireball: She liked it. It was unique and spicy. Had jalapeno in it but it worked. -Spicy Tuna Tataki Maki: She liked it better than the fireball. The service was good. AND i used the student discount (15%) for a total bill of around $70. Overall, more expensive than other japanese/sushi places in Chicago but the starters were def worth it, not so much the main dishes. Pros: Starters (Snowball and Dynamite)/Service/Ambiance/Free Parking/Discount Cons: Main dishes
(4)
Maria Z.

Hands down best sushi place I have ever been to. After never being a fan of sushi, Kyoto converted me into a sushi lover. Amazing service, and food. After my sister discovered this spot, we come here a few times a month. The owner is so down to earth and friendly. We feel like family every time we step foot here...AND its BYOB. ...and my glass of water is never empty (huge +) The spicy boat is great when you come with 3+ people. My favorite rolls are the crunchy salmon and tuna tataki. In terms of appetizers, the ahi flatbread and unagi tempura are great. The green tea ice scream is irresistible for dessert. Oh, and you cannot visit this place without trying the creamy roll. I still don't understand how these twins manage to create such wonders. I don't think i have ever felt so great about a restaurant before. I definitely recommend it.
(5)
Sarah Z.

This place rocks. Do you want a place for animated talks with a group of friends? Go here. Do you want a place for scandalous talks with a girlfriend? Grab one of the corner booths. Do you want a romantic little place tucked away from the rest of the world? Cozy up to your Sweetie here and share the Love Boat. Do you want to save on beer and wine? Go to Jewel on your way over because the liquor store across the street is pricey. Do you want to eat very good sushi? This is your place.
(5)
Maurizio G.

I won't give it 5 start because it gets way to loud in there. As far as everything else goes, 4 stars are well deserved. Food is great , place is clean...... and all that good stuff.
(4)
Andrea P.

NOM NOM NOM!!! Sorry Wakamono, I'm abandoning ship!i! This place is THE place for sushi fans! They have a great selection of appetizers, exotic and delicious creations! I tried the Dynamite which consisted of baked shrimp and scallops in spicy mayo sauce and cooked unagi to top. They came on a bed of sea shells, which were also....on FIRE! I opened the menu and felt as though they had specifically designed sushi for my taste buds! I had the Miami roll and a crunchy roll, both equally delicious!
(5)
Alison M.

Excellent sushi for the price. The interior of the restaurant is impressive (but, maybe because the exterior of the building is so unimpressive) They often have deals through groupon, open table, etc... which makes it pretty busy. But, if you make a reservation, you'll be seated right away. However, I've found that the increase in patronage has lead to a decrease in service. A week ago I was there with a friend, and was ignored nearly the entire night! It was weird--the waitress dealt with the two tables on either side of us, but almost refused to make eye contact. She finally did take our order, and when the sushi came we were short a roll! But she never came back to check on us so we could ask her about it, After we finished our two rolls, we find out that she forgot to put in the order for the third. No apology-- nothing. People who were seated after us, were served and finished eating way before us. Nonetheless, despite this blip in service, I really do like Kyoto and would definitely get another groupon-- maybe by then they'll have gotten another waitress.
(4)
Katie L.

I really like Kyoto sushi. They have fresh food with reasonable prices. Plus they keep doing groupons, so I'm getting used to having dinner half off. It's BYOB which really is the icing on the sushi-cake. On the weekends, you should probably get a reservation.
(4)
Laura W.

I feel all I do is eat sushi and Kyoto was another stop on this mission. But it wasn't just your average food to me, everything was flavored with a bit more oomph and I liked everything we had. We had to start off with the Snowball because I read a lot of Yelp reviews that recommend them and they were good. I was sort of envisioning something like an arancini but they weren't, which was fine just not what I was expecting. I think next time I have to try the Eightball or the Spicy snowball. We also ordered the Tunateake and that was totally worth it. I thought the tuna was perfectly seared and the sauce was great. The waitress recommended this as an appetizer and she didn't steer us wrong. Since we had so much already I ordered a simple spicy tuna roll. It was spicier than other rolls I have had in the past but I think this was true to the meaning of the word spicy. We also had the creamy signature roll, I wish it had a different name but that doesn't really matter. It was awesome to see a roll completely wrapped in avocado with tempura in the middle. It was the perfect balance of soft and crunchy. Finally we had red bean ice cream for dessert. A generous portion to split between two people and it tasted fresh with no freezer burn.
(4)
Herminia I.

The husband and I came here the day after our groupon expired, completely exhausted from a full day of pre-wedding preparations. Thankfully, they were kind enough to still honor the entire deal. I think we walked in right when they opened, because the place was empty and had a strange smell--cleaner maybe? Since it wasn't overpowering we sat down and ordered their combination platters. I'm going to be honest. I'm not a sushi eater (yes i know, please don't shun), so i cannot review the biggest part of their menu. I, however, can review them on the other things they offer. I ordered a combo platter that included miso, teriyaki beef and chicken, tempura and rice. The food was good, the flavors were good and the service was great. But why the four stars? Well, without the groupon offer i felt that they were a bit overpriced and the teriyaki flavors weren't as amazing as Sunshine Cafe or Midori--with both restaurants in lower price points for similar foods. I would definitely go back, but only if a sushi-lover friend was in town and wanted a good place to go to.
(4)
Sarah S.

Kyoto is located in the basement of a storefront on Lincoln next to the Apollo Theater. I came in on a Saturday night around 6:30 with no reservation and had no problems getting seated. This is a BYOB, but they have a corkage fee for each bottle you open. This is the second time i've come across this in the last month! Grr...still cheaper than buying a bottle at a restaurant I suppose. I started with the seaweed salad which was very good. There were 3 of us and we split the spicy tuna, dragon maki, california, and the crazy maki. The dragon maki was by far my favorite. The other 3 rolls were kind of bland and didn't have much flavor. Our waitress was fairly attentive in the beginning, but tended to ignore us towards the end. We were trying to pay our bill and she took forever to come back to our table, then again, when she went to process it. The ambiance is very nice, but i've had better sushi in the city elsewhere.
(3)
Molly L.

My friends live upstairs from this place, so I'm a frequent diner. The sushi is always delicious, and the service is great. My favorite thing to order is definitely the crunchy salmon roll. Yum! It's the perfect combination of sweetness and crunchiness. I crave it often. People on here have mentioned that it's a bit pricey, and I agree, but you get a lot for your money. Also, they sometimes have Groupon deals and they're on restaurant.com .
(5)
Boon K.

My favorite sushi place in town. All I can think about is the snowball sushi( white tuna, truffle oil and scallion). No soy sauce needed for this place. They take the time to make each order and they are just beautiful to look at . If you love avocado, then you will love the creamy roll. That is avocado heaven. They also make a great tofu agedashi
(5)
Michael B.

Chefs + quality of the food is everything. If you see my other rating for Usagi Ya, you'll see that I loved it so much because of their chef, Melvin. I was sad to find out last year that he no longer worked there... A few months ago, my friend told me to check out Kyoto...i went onto yelp and looked at some of the pictures. MELVIN is the sushi chef here?!? I was so excited....brought a friend and my mom here to eat. Place was PACKED...I wonder if it had to do with their recent Groupon. Our very nice waitress asked what we wanted to order...without even opening the menu, i responded, "Whatever Melvin wants to make for us!" So good...we had no idea what we were eating. We just knew everything was freakin delicious. Thank you Kyoto for reconnecting me to Melvin and his amazing ability to confuse my tastebuds! I'll definitely will be back.
(5)
Nilda L.

I'd give another star, but service is really bad. Great food, however it was over shadowed by the horrible service. Why? It seems everyone, including us, were using our Groupons. I use Groupons all the time, that shouldn't excuse the service. They could have had another server working this evening. Service: We never got our water refilled, my friend's order didn't come until the rest of us were halfway through ours.we had to remihusband. nd the server for her order. Also had to ask for soy sauce in our table. Food: Started out with salad and tempura. I loved Saasy Kat salad, which had tuna and salmon.Great maki rolls. My favorite was the Spicy Tuna Tataki. So good I had to order another one to go for my husband. Also good were the Creamy and Caterpillar rolls. I will definitely give it another try, maybe a weeknight. According to my friend who comes here frequently, it's always packed. It's also BYOB.
(3)
James K.

My journey as a foodie is still in its early stages, however the first time I dined at Kyoto will always be remembered. After that meal, I thought that I would have a similar experience elsewhere, however till this day I have not. One day, I will probably tell my grandkids about that meal. In retrospect, I have to say that my meals at Kyoto Sushi have probably been the best meals I've ever had. If you could give a special few restaurants something beyond 5 stars like a "platinum" or "diamond" rating, this would be one of them.
(5)
Jessica S.

Old school atmosphere, fresh and tasty sushi. The rolls weren't super unique but there were fresh and tasty classics. There is a small charge for BYOB. They have a sushi making class (BYOB) that I would like to try. If in the area and craving something raw, I would try Kyoto.
(3)
bettina k.

I was amazed about the dominating four-star rating for Kyoto here- until I saw that most other Chicago sushi spots earn four stars from users... I was very prepared to love this place - cool decor, cool clients and staff- and a yelp reputation that preceded it. But c'mon, the sushi is way below average. I ordered the sashimi appetizer for $15 and it consisted of bland, thin slices of yellowtail that was indistinguishable from the tuna. So I took the emergency exit to sushi rolls where the quality of the fish isn't tantamount they were equally tasteless and that includes the rice. I hate to cite the competition but Green Tea, Toro and even Oysy are worlds apart from Kyoto,
(2)
Alice T.

- Excellent service (friendly and especially proficient at handling BYOB) - Great variety of creative appetizers (Ahi flatbread is delicious) - Great rolls (especially the crunch salmon, fireball and spicy scallop... but skip the crazy roll - turns out it
(5)
Diera H.

Simply AWESOME! Service was so-so, it was very very crowded on a Friday night so we were kind of ignored, but we totally understand. Here's what to order: Spicy Snowball Crispy/Crunchy Salmon Creamy Roll I went to heaven just now from those yummy yummy rolls.
(5)
Helena G.

Sushi for my B-day! The last year I had dinner in a Indian restaurant in La Paz. Yes, in a Indian restaurant in Bolivia!! So this year I decided to have sushi in Chicago! Japanese cuisine it's one of my favorites! We tasted the sushi/ sashimi combination and a few makis. Everything was delicious and very fresh! Specially the tuna! The staff is very nice!
(3)
Amanda A.

I became acquainted with Kyoto through Groupon and it's become our group's favorite sushi place. Consistently solid sushi (normal rolls) and then really fantastic appetizers. They usually have a good number of deals, too. Last time we were there they were selling a $50 gift certificate for $25. It was like a Groupon workaround, but we benefited.
(4)
C. B.

Yep. A year later and after whoring around to different sushi places to try and find one that tops Kyoto...I still haven't. Kyoto, you rock my world. Forever yours, CB xoxoxoxoxo
(5)
Ayden N.

Definitely the best Sushi place in Chicago! I moved to Chicago from Vancouver a few years ago so I have pretty high expectations. Trying to find an acceptable sushi restaurant to meet my standards has not been easy. I have almost tried all the sushi places in the Chicago area, and none can come close to this place. The rolls are absolutely amazing and one stands out...The Creamy Roll. You must try this, and ask for the history of the name ;) The staff here is also very friendly and do all they can to make sure you have a great time.
(5)
Paige O.

I go to Kyoto at least once a week. I love their rolls! My favorites are Snowball, Fireball, and Fiesta, but I am never disappointed when I try their other sushi options. The quality is consistent, and they do a great job with texture. I never get bites that are so mushy/big/gross that I gag. For the non-sushi options, I really like their pork gyoza. The sauce is salty and spicy and so tasty. The only item I have tried that I would not recommend is their chicken teriyaki. It isn't that good, and with so many other delicious options I say skip it. I almost always order take out or delivery, and even I have noticed that the recent Groupon has made Kyoto substantially more crowded. Patrons get more $ off with the Groupon on Tuesday and Wednesday, so when I have gone for pickup on those days the place has literally been overflowing onto Lincoln. With crowds come side effects: I ordered delivery for five people (it was a large order) on Saturday night and they messed up my order, but everything was good, so it wasn't a deal breaker but was still annoying. Overall this place is reasonably priced, friendly, and delicious. The crowd can be disconcerting but shouldn't be a complete deterrent.
(4)
Mary Ann C.

Great meal. Great location near the Apollo Theater, where we were going to see a show! High points-1-Easily made a reservation by phone with someone I could HEAR (I hate calling a place and not being able to hear them clearly). 2-Rolls-Loved the signiture roll with spicy shrimp(cannot recall name), philly roll, and sweet potato roll (sister loved). 3-Service. Our server was prompt and helpful. 4- Location near the Apollo Theater. 5-Parking was super easy on the street. So So points-It was really cold in the restaurant. I loved my booth, but was freezing the whole time. Additionally, the tables are really close together. I wil be back! Great meal at a cool spot!
(4)
Mike P.

Kyoto is our new favorite sushi restaurant in the city. The sashimi is fresh and melts in your mouth. The Dynamite appetizer is excellent and the signatures rolls a re well conceived and executed. The staff is a little erratic and the route to the facilities could use work but you can't go wrong dining here.
(4)
Kerry D.

This place has changed my mind about sushi. I never had any that I liked and it's my husband's favorite food- so we were both happy to find Kyoto. I purchased a groupon and the night we went was towards the end of the redemption period- so it was packed. I hear that it's always pretty busy, but they do take reservations. The service and food were wonderful. We had a pot sticker appetizer and edamame. Then the rolls came- we over ordered, but managed to eat every piece. I had veggie rolls, but they were anything but typical- really delicious. He had a variety of seafood rolls, but preferred the simpler preparations to the creative options. Very affordable, also love that it's byob!
(4)
Jessica S.

I ate here about a year ago using a Groupon but it looks like I never reviewed it. I remember it being adequate, nothing out of the ordinary but still very good and fresh. So glad I waited until now to yelp about Kyoto because I just had the most incredible experience there. Each month, a group of friends of mine gather for dinner at a BYOB place. This month we chose Kyoto and were granted access to the back private room. We managed to squeeze ten people in there but I think next time we'll stick to the main room, it was a tight squeeze. But perhaps that's what made it so much fun, especially when we shut the doors to slam sake bombs. Our server Wil was hands down one of the best servers I've ever had. He managed to please all ten of us and was super patient with this indecisive, loud, drunk group. Wil basically picked all of our rolls for us and we were super pleased ESPECIALLY with the snowball appetizer and the spicy tuna tataki. He took our cold sake we brought with us and heated it up, consistently brought us out new glasses even after we broke three (sake bomb mishaps), and was nothing but kind to us. I can't say enough good things about him. He even gave us $10 coupons for the next time we dine there (which will be soon). Like I said, the snowball appetizer (holy shit, I could eat three plates of these) and the spicy tuna tataki were the hands down faves of the table but everything we got was spectacular. We'll be back for sure, especially when our bill came out to $27/person including tip/tax.
(5)
Joanna E.

I'd like to give this place a 4.25 stars just to be precise, but alas, whole numbers only on Yelp. ANYhow, the joint is very "yuppie", which is not to say a bad thing. It's one of the nicer sushi joints in the city I think. Decor is coolly casual yet sophisticated, which is a reflection of its diners. The place is a little small and I can imagine it getting filled up fast and often so reservations are highly recommended! I went on a Tuesday night so I lucked out with getting seated right away at the sushi bar. Service was kick-arse! Our waitress was very nice, attentive, smiley, and made us feel well-attended. I absolutely LOVE awesome service and gotta give big ups when it's due cuz let's face it, good service really is hard to come by nowadays. Plus, having a great server helps the mood of the rest of the dinner. Aaaaand that's my two cents on that. Moving along... Food was ok. Good, but in my opinion just ok. (Maybe I just didn't order the right things...?) I ordered the Sushi platter C and shrimp siu mai and it was decent. I ended up getting one more sushi roll and decided on the salmon-avocado roll. Good move cuz that was what basically made my night. The roll tasted so FRESH! As in the rice was still warm, the fish melted nicely on my tongue and combined nicely with the creamy avocado, and it all came together in this unexpectedly pleasant and oh-so-good way and my eyes rolled back and I thought "Oh my gosh!!!" aaand... It was basically a foodgasm. Really nice end to the dinner. Yup. Conclusion: Cool atmosphere, great service, fresh sushi. Yeah, I'd go again.
(4)
Ang R.

Yeah, this is good stuff. You MUST get the spicy snowball if you go. It's definitely one of my favorite bites. Ever. We did tell them to make it only a little spicy, and it really was the perfect amount of heat. (We sat at the sushi bar, so we were communicating directly with the sushi chef.) Seriously. So good. I'm so glad we went out on a limb and tried it. Otherwise, we got basic sushi rolls, because that's really what we like. The tuna/avocado was delicious, and I think it had something to do with the avocado, which was super yummy, and generously portioned. We ordered the shrimp tempura roll, which we both ate, but neither one of us thought it was the best we ever had (hence the four stars; we love the tempura rolls). And actually, I don't know if I'd want to order it again. We ordered the California roll, which was, again, deliciously full of the avocado. And finally, the spicy tuna, which was WAY TOO spicy for either our tastes. I got three down before I had to quit, and I think he could barely get his down. Just too spicy. But let me say, I did like it. I just couldn't eat very much of it. We did use a groupon for this, our first trip to Kyoto. We don't have any more groupons. But I can say for certain that we'll be going back, because I have to eat that spicy snowball again.
(4)
Holly A.

For my birthday this year, my mother's boyfriend promised me a sushi luncheon. Now, six months down the line, we finally managed to get some time where we were both available, and we snuck in to Kyoto around 9 PM on a Friday. (Tonight, in fact!) I finished eating about two hours ago, and I am still in a state of foodgasm. Yes, it was that good. It probably helped that the twins recognized my companion and we were treated as honored guests at the bar area (I can't say no to free takoyaki), but really, even without freebies, the food was amazing. First off, try the Snowball. Really. It's amazing. They're basically small balls of rice with a piece of tuna on top, with truffle oil and a few other additions. It's a nice subtle appetizer, and incredibly tasty. I could not get over how good they were, and they were only our second treat! (The first being miso - It was good as well, though pretty standard.) Our maki choices were the Orange Sunshine, Dynamite, and the Caterpillar. Caterpillar was our safe bet, and it was phenomenal. The Dynamite roll was also delicious - And huge! But for me, the big treat was really the Orange Sunshine. Salmon and orange is apparently a combination of great greatness, and I couldn't get over how unique the flavor combination was. I highly recommend this roll. My companion didn't enjoy it as much as I did, but I was thoroughly impressed. The twins are great guys - They took care of us all night, and were social despite being insanely busy. They make this look easy, folks, and it's surely not. Our tab came out to about $70 for three huge rolls, a delicious appetizer, miso and mochi for two. Totally reasonable price, and the food was a-mazing. And did I mention the still-lingering foodgasm? I rest my case.
(5)
Maura S.

I've been anxiously waiting to use my Groupon at Kyoto and the experience was everything I hoped for. Food and service were great. We had the Crunchy Salmon, Creamy, and Spider. All were excellent and I would recommend ordering any of the three. The Creamy (despite its ridiculous name) was especially good- wrapped in avocado instead of seaweed. We also had miso soup to start and green tea ice cream to finish the meal and both were good. Kyoto is BYOB which always means extra points in my book. Will be back. I would recommend making a reservation for a Friday or Saturday night- it got pretty busy.
(5)
Tiffany G.

OUTSTANDING. We did not have a reservation on a busy Saturday evening, but when I phoned to see if they could squeeze us in, rather than be met with the typical "oh, sorry, we're fully booked" or "I can't put your name down on the waiting list until you arrive" - the manager/host was kind enough to reserve us a spot at the sushi bar. That was brownie point number one. When we arrived, the restaurant was bustling and the atmosphere was just what we had hoped for. One of the other hosts on that evening assured us that our sushi bar spot would be ready "in just a few minutes" as he placed our bottle of Delerium on ice and offered us a seat at the bar. Brownie point number two. The rest of the evening followed suit. The Spicy Snowball, Fireball, Summer Dragon and Spicy Tuna Tataki Maki were all EXCELLENT. This is some of the best sushi I have had in ages, and the prices were spot on too. Next time, we might try one of their Love Boats. There were a couple of hiccups here and there with our server, but not the sushi chef, who was working so hard all evening. To note, there is a $5 corkage fee and there is a halfway decent liquor store on the corner if you need to pick up something last minute.
(4)
Amanda D.

This is probably my favorite sushi place in Chicago. If you have not been and you are a a sushi enthusiast, make sure to go and order the following rolls (in order of preference): - Spicy Tuna Tataki (served hot; melts in your mouth) - Crunchy Salmon (sweet with tempura flakes and honey) **The above two are a bit more elaborate than the rest. - Rainbow Maki (all fresh fish with avocado) - Fiesta Maki (fish and a little bit of spice) - Crazy Maki (all fresh fish) You will not be disappointed. I always leave Kyoto happy. The staff is nice and friendly and everything I have tried there has been delicious.
(5)
Eric B.

Bomb. That's all you need. Byob. Delicious. Favorite sushi place.
(5)
Bridget D.

If you're looking for fairly priced sushi in a fun and intimate atmosphere, this is the place! For the price, the sushi is stellar--and BYOB adds to the affordability. Though the outside of the restaurant looks dingy and old, the inside has authentic charm. If you're a fan of the Philly Roll anywhere else, I highly recommend the New York Roll here--fabulous smoked salmon and cream cheese. YUM!
(5)
Jenn C.

We purchased groupons for this place because my family and I LOVE japanese food/sushi... I'm very particular with sushi and preparation of raw fish. So far the hand full of times we've eaten here, I have to say its been consistent. It helps when we purchased several groupons for 25 bucks for a 50 dollar meal. I've had much better sushi in the west coast and east coast and of course in Hawaii, however, so far I have to say the unique creations of their rolls and the quality of their fish seems to be good.
(4)
Katy W.

I would like their spicy tuna tataki every night of the week please. + their Green Tea? Now I feel like I'm healthy. On the last possible night to use my groupon, filled with crowd, their service was great.
(4)
Michael P.

This is not your grandparents sushi joint!!!!! At least, not my grandparents. Of course, my GP's first ate sushi in Japan in the '40s and '50s when Gramps had to go on the lam for a few months every now and then. And Gramps would go tuna fishing in the Bahamas every year. Told me they would catch a tuna, cut a chunk out of its belly and eat it right there on the boat with some soy sauce (yes, I've seen pictures). And Grandma held the world record for a while for catching the largest tuna by a woman - I think it was about 680 pounds and at least ten feet long (yes, I've got the picture in my office). And as a toddler back in the '60's they would bring me and all the grandkids to a place called the Azuma House (on Broadway just south of Foster, it's a Thai place now ...) and we'd have sashimi, sukiyaki and tempura for dinner. And for years my family would seek out the newest sushi house in the city and burbs, with the sushi bar and two Japanese fellows with the Japanese bandanas on their head, who would yell something in Japanese at you when you came and went. And the waitresses would dress like geisha. So you guessed it, I'm a traditionalist when it comes to sushi. And I've eaten a lot of sushi. And I get it, "sushi" to the kids these days means "rolls Rolls ROLLS!!" and not the pure tender slices of sashimi or crafted nigiri. Even the guy who owned the Hilldale sushi place for 20 years is making rolls at his new place in Streamwood. I get it, okay? Kyoto? Modern. Beautiful stark Asian rice paper wall, blue light dÃ©cor. I want to decorate my next apartment like that. Staff was friendly, chef Carlo (guessing he's not Asian) friendly. And rolls. Lots and lots of rolls. I've noticed recently most "sushi" places have the fish pre-cut. So right off the bat I'm not ordering sashimi or nigiri, but I will eat it in a roll. The rolls at Kyoto were delicious, some maybe had too much going on, in fact the simpler ones were better and I would recommend a selection of those with maybe one or two of the fancy-pants rolls. But MAN they were all beautifully presented, and despite the fish being pre-cut, they tasted fresh. And the tempura appetizer was absolutely perfect, crispy, light and the veggies were cooked just the right amount. Conclusion? Modern sushi = Kyoto. Traditional, I'll still go to Naniwa. Six flags. More flags, more fun. (p.s. shoutout to Groupon for last night's dinner)
(5)
O L.

Probably one of the best non-traditional style Sushi restaurant in Chicago. Had their Tekkadon, it was alright. Snowball appetizer was really delicious but very pricy. The crunch salmon, Spicy Tuna Hand-Roll, and caterpillar is to die for.
(5)
Nick S.

I bought 2 groupons for this place which was a really good steal. Its location is easily accessible via public transit. I wouldn't say it's easily handicap accessible (which is something I like to make note of sometime since my mom is handicapped - that said, probably won't be taking her here "sorry mom") It's dimly lit inside, trendy music, you get to watch the guys behind the counter. I've experienced service good and poor, but it's whatever. I like the inventiveness they have on some of the dishes. On a whole they have a good variety. Some stand out dishes were the fiery snowball and the oyster shooter. I've liked all the rolls I've had so far. Actually I like this place a lot more than Oysy (I didn't find any chunks of plastic in my spicy tuna at Kyoto).
(4)
Amy Y.

We came here because we got a Restaurant.com coupon. First glance looked pretty good - nice ambience, attentive server, clean. We ordered a variety of appetizers, noodles, and sushi. The sushi (it was the special...spring something) was decent though not standout. Sauce was a bit too strong for the vegetables. The appetizers and other entree were bad. The tofu yakisoba tasted terrible. Not the right type of tofu, seasoning too salty and bland, and wrong type of noodle for yakisoba. I was very disappointed in it, especially given the good reviews. The place felt like a slapstick rendition of sushi, yet another place in Lincoln park that place looks over substance.
(2)
Alison T.

I have been here twice now and both times got the Creamy Roll and the Eightball appetizer. Both are AMAZING and deserve 5 stars. The inside is cute... can definitely get loud because the tables are so close together. HIGHLY recommend reservations on the weekend... otherwise you could wait up to an hour. BYOB but they do charge $5 corkage fee which I think is BS and heard from another Chicago BYOB restaurant owner that it is illegal to charge a corkage fee if you don't have a liquor license. The first time we came in, the service was good. The second time, we had a different waitress and she was not so good - never filled our waters, was half listening when we ordered, and was kind of rude when we asked that she take off a second corkage fee since we only opened one bottle of wine.
(4)
Adriana Z.

I LOVE this place. My sister and husbad go every Thurs and I join in as much as possible. The owner already knows them and is very nice and friendly! This place has the best sushi I've had and everything I've tasted is delicious...its sushi heaven. My favorites are the Tuna tataki (my mouth is watering by just thinking about it) and the creamy. Some great ones we get are the fiesta roll, summer dragon and the eight ball. We also get oh so good ahi bread and dynamite as an appetizer and green tea ice cream for dessert. You HAVE to try it. I highly recommend.
(5)
Robin D.

We went here on a Sunday night with a restaurant.com coupon. I have to say that I don't really think this place is a good value for your money especially if you like sashimi. The slices are paper thin, you heard me I can see through it. Dont order sashimi here, its a rip off. Ive been to more expensive and upscale sushi places and the sashimi servings are fair. If you want the best sashimi value then go to Oysy. The rolls were ok, nothing special but not bad. The worse part is the service, it was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too slow. I had to hail my server every time to follow up order, order more, get check, etc. OMG, it was a long grueling wait. Never again
(2)
Ashley W.

I would've given Kyoto 5 stars if the waitress could identify all the sushi on our Spice Boat. Unfortunately, I have a tuna allergy (lame!) and b/c I didn't want to visit the emergency room I needed to know which rolls were ok to eat. Thankfully my friends tried each roll & identified which ones were safe. Besides that, the fish was fresh and tasty! I did order additional rolls to fill my tummy. The uni (sea urchin), sake (salmon) and tamago (egg) were fantastic. This a great place to go with a group of friends b/c it's BYOB. Definitely a great spot for quality sushi and a good price in the city,
(4)
Michelle L.

Food = 5+ stars Service / experience = 2.5 I'm always up for trying a new sushi spot, so when I saw kyoto on groupon and read the yelp reviews, I was sold! Since 3000+ people bought this groupon, I made reservations... First off the manager or owner, not sure which he was, was so nice and helpful - my husband was in the car and I ran in to see where their parking lot was and if it would be packed, he directed me to it, and said if it was packed that I could take his spot and he met me out there! He went above and beyond... The food - amazing, I think it's some of the best maki I've had. The fireball was so flavorful and delicious, I wish I was able to eat the whole thing by myself. I could really taste the sesame which gave it a different element. By far our fav maki. Spicy snowball app was sooooo good! But the portion size was a lot smaller than I was expecting. I saw the regular snowball on a neighboring table and it was huge, and ours finally came out and it looked so sad and meager in comparison. Not sure if it was just our order (see more below under service) or if the spicy snowball is just smaller than the regular. It was super tasty though. If I was rating on the food alone - 5+ stars! Unfortunately, I have to rate on service (and others) as well. I understand that they were busy, but our waitress sucked big time. Seriously sucked. She ignored us the whole time, and our spicy snowball appetizer came out 10 minutes after we were done with our meal, and only after we flagged her down multiple times to ask about it! I thought appetizers were supposed to be served prior to the entrees?? And then the worst part - there was a late night frat party that came in... Loud, obnoxious large group of guys that wanted a table of 20...happened to sit right next to us with their box of wine and were waiting for our table and another two in order to complete their party. Incredibly rude and loud, they were actually yelling at us and others. Extremely offensive and unnecessary, and it was then that I remembered why we don't come to this area and why we will not be returning (we'll give them another try, but if we see one more frat party never again!).
(4)
Rebecca C.

This is a small restaurant with a long wait....that is totally worth it! I met some girlfriends for dinner on a Friday night and called ahead to make reservations. I'm so glad we did because the place was mobbed when we got there and we only had to wait a few minutes. Everything we ate was amazing, and I especially recommend the Caterpillar. The only thing was we had a yelp check-in special for a California roll and our waitress seemed a little put off by this, but maybe she was just busy. It was great food, great atmosphere and BYOB...can't beat it!
(4)
AL K.

Loved their specials! reasonable portions and price. gracies cocktail is a must. a blend of noodles, tuna, salmon sashimi on a martini glass.great service,friendly staff, cozy ambiance!! they have creative ideas on how to serve up your sushi and sashimi that makes the whole dining experience unique.
(4)
Ermelinda C.

We ordered take out, and it was by far the worst sushi we have had, and we have had a lot of sushi... Everything seemed to be made of frozen fish and canned products. Will not give this place a second chance - there are better choices in Hyde Park!
(2)
Nikki Y.

After writing a review for Ringo right across the street, a fellow Yelper told me try Kyoto. Good suggestion, ma'am! While Kyoto is not an all-you-can-eat, it serves some great sushi. Definitely a bit more upscale than Ringo, but not bad in price at all. If anybody knows anything about me, I know my sushi. And, I'm happy to say that Kyoto does too. Although it looks like a hole in a wall as you walk downstairs to the entrance, you'll see that it's actually a vast space. The decor is very Japanese modern with some of the more traditional woods and whatnot. I really like that it doesn't try to be super pretentious (because we all know that drives the prices way up). I came on a Sunday afternoon when it was super quiet, nothing more than a few single moms and their children. And the good thing about Kyoto is that it's actually pretty good for kids (not that I am in any way, shape, or form headed toward that direction), but I like that the decor suggests that sushi isn't just a "grown-up" thing. Reminds me of my own childhood. Back to the food, their specialty rolls were a real treat, even those with cooked fish (I don't usually go for those). The textures, freshness, and taste were spot on. The service was really great, the waitress was extremely friendly and was helping some of the sushi noobs around my table. She also was sure to stop by whenever she could to refill our drinks and make sure we were all doing great. I think Kyoto is a great establishment; I just wish I lived by there so I can go more often. But I've yet to find THE sushi restaurant in this city to call home. There's a lot of quality and variety out there, guys!
(4)
Yvonne Y.

Loved the fresh sashimi there. Had the chirashi and sashimi platter and both were delicious. If you're a sushi expert, then skip it since they slice it too thinly. Everyone's dressed up there and my walking in with my baby stroller... so not cool
(4)
Matt T.

Not a big fan of this place. After seeing a play with my wife at Victory Gardens we had a sushi craving for a late dinner and looked on Yelp for some reviews. Kyoto was the top hit and we liked what we read. I did like the vibe and how Kyoto was tucked away on a dark part of Lincoln Ave as you walk down the stairs to the basement restaurant. The place was very loud with a lot of DePaul students and Lincoln Parkers. Not our typical kind of atmosphere. Service was pretty good and fairly attentive but the reason for the two stars is, the sushi is just not very good and overpriced. My wife reminded me that the price is because of the neighborhood and the quality of food can be expected. College students and younger folks are used to mediocre sushi when it's all around them in these areas. There's so many better hole in the wall sushi spots in the city that are cheaper, fresher and more delicious. When the sushi came out on the platters I was shocked at how small the rolls were compare to other places I've been and the quality in appearance and flavor was flat out not there. The food was a huge disappointment and we won't be going back. We should have know not to go here but we were too hungry to stop the train.
(2)
Lisa T.

Kyoto is my favorite sushi in Lincoln Park. The Crunch Salmon Maki is out of this world and I've literally never had a roll I didn't enjoy here. This is probably my favorite place to start off a fun Friday or Saturday night. Yes - Kyoto is PACKED on Friday/Saturday. Make a reservation. Yes - Kyoto is LOUD... people are having fun. Deal with it. Don't forget to BYOB!
(5)
E L.

Phenomenal service. We were a group of 4 with no reservation on a freezing Saturday night. The line was out the door, but the hostess was more than gracious. A twenty to thirty minute wait? Maybe. So, we left our name & number and said we'd be back, but really, I didn't think we would. She called back about 20 minutes later, after we decided on Matsuya up the street, but were still circling for parking. Kyoto has a parking lot. The food was fantastic. We had a few appetizers and a variety of nigiri and maki. They did make a few mistakes with our order, like doubling an appetizer and 3 maki, but after we mentioned we already received them, our server immediately offered to wrap it up for us to-go since we were stuffed (sadly, I've been to places where servers have tried to convince a table of vegetarians that they really did order the beef). We used a groupon, but it didn't affect service. Everyone was so friendly and despite the 150 decibel environment, I really enjoyed the experience. It's BYOB ($5.00 cork fee) and there's a liquor store across the street on Sheffield.
(4)
Janet F.

Kyoto really makes the grade because I strolled in with a group of five 15 minutes before closing, and they were still super friendly and kind and served us even though we didn't get out of there until almost an hour after closing (needless to say, they got an epic tip). The food was outstanding. Each one of my rolls was so flavorful! At so many sushi restaurants the more basic rolls they make lots and lots of get to tasting bland, but here I could taste the quality and care, even though we were totally keeping these guys open. Other reviewers have said how wonderful the food is, so I won't reiterate. So don't intentionally keep them open late, but if you want to grab something and you're cutting it close, these guys will help you out!!
(5)
Adam R.

The food knocked me on my rear end. Upon reading the yelp reviews before hand, I knew to order the spicy snow something and the flaming dynamite. The pieces were amazing. Rarely do rave about individual rolls. BUT WOW Although the meal was offset by the dreaded dining room temperature. The place was warm to put it politely. Fortunately the food was amazing. Maybe next time I go, which I hope is soon, I go on an off night or an earlier time.
(5)
Sara P.

I came here with a groupon. Overall, the sushi was decent, but it did not sufficiently blow my socks off to guarantee a return visit. The edamame was ok, but lacked enough salt, so was a bit flavorless. The miso is standard. The snowball was the best thing we ordered, and was definitely unique. Overall, decent. I'll look for the next groupon...
(4)
Rayid G.

Mediocre sushi since the real chefs left to start Kai Zan. The service was very slow but that was understandable given the crowds - three birthday parties at the same time!!! The staff was nice and helpful but couldn't make up for the obnoxiously loud used-to-be-frat-kids and the so-so food. We tried the sashimi platter and a bunch of the rolls and very few things stood out. I went to kyoto first time several years ago and decided to give it another shot but this is it for me.
(2)
ZZ K.

HOLLY COW FOLKS!!!! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!! Ok, so one yelper e-mailed me and said I should try Kyoto, and thank goodness she did, otherwise I don't think I would have known about this gem in Lincoln Park! Its in a strange looking building, kind of like a mall, and is downstairs. We went here last night and the place was pretty empty, which is completely fine with me and I don't take that as a bad sign, especially during the week. After coming down the stairs we were greeted (by a waving cat but also by a hostess) and sat at a booth in the corner. There was a bar (stocked with glasses) in the front with a flat screen TV and a football game was on (I thought that was a bit weird, but we didn't really pay attention). Our server came cover right away with waters and a small tasty cucumber salad for us to share. It was good and we liked the smoked sesame seeds. Based on the reviews that I looked at prior to us going, we ordered the following maki rolls: Creamy, Dynamite, Summer and Spicy Tuna The rolls were tasty and fresh. When I tried creamy...I closed my eyes and felt like I was in heaven...it was so dangerously good, I told my boyfriend I needed a moment of silence! I think I grabbed the table and even curled my toes...it was that good!!! We ordered one to go so we can enjoy it today (in privacy) lol. I saw one of the sushi chefs watching me, I smiled and gave him a thumbs up and he smiled and thanked me. I wondered if he gets that reaction all the time when people try creamy... We enjoyed everything and the server was very friendly and even gave us 10% off cards for our next visit! She knew we would definitely be back... BTW - This place is BYOB and they have free customer parking in the back of the restaurant/mall. We had driven around 30min looking for parking.
(5)
Keith A.

Great and innovative sushi place. BYO, friendly staff, clean, and great food. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Laura C.

I also used a Groupon at Kyoto and it was a great experience. Since we were getting a deal, we loaded up. As others have mentioned, the Creamy Roll is AMAZING. My boyfriend and I shared it both times. SO good. But it comes with a hefty price tag... I think it was $14. But still worth it. :) The staff is really friendly. I liked this place!
(4)
Lisa L.

The food was awful, minus the miso soup. The service is phenominal though, so nice and polite, we ordered take out and they even gave us green tea on the house while we were waiting for it. I wish I could say better things about their sushi though, based on other reviews I thought it was going to be great, but it was completely lackluster and bland. Honestly, I wish I could have a better review for it, but I only got take out, maybe when you dine in, combined with the fact its BYOB makes it better. On food perspective alone, there is much better sushi downtown.
(2)
Mary S.

3.5 - 4 Fresh veggie sushi, great ambiance, byob with corkage ($5 or so). Parking in the back is a nice plus. Crowded so try to make a reservation. Seating and waiting are both a tight squeeze so if you like plenty of elbow space, this might not be your cup of tea. It's very romantic, though, if you don't mind your neighbors possibly hearing your sweet nothings. There's one very privately sectioned off booth that seemed to seat about 10. The rolls were really good, but stay away from the fried tofu. It was scary stanky and didn't taste much better. Aside from the tofu, everything was great.
(4)
Dan N.

Even in spite of the $17 price tag, I would come back here any day for the Creamy roll--delicious (although a bit tough to maneuver for an amateur chop-sticker). I also had the Philadelphia maki, which was also quite good--and both rolls were enough to fill myself up--which is always a big concern for me at a sushi joint. My girlfriends Japanese fried rice was just OK, she loved it, but I guess I was hoping for more (something more similar to hibachi/Beni-hana style). Overall food was really good and I was quite happy with the overall ambiance of the place (in spite of the outer, strip mall appearance). A few things worth noting: --BYOB--HUGE plus (with a minimal $5 corking fee for 2 people) --Be sure to make reservations. We snuck in at 7, while the place was fairly empty, right before a HUGE rush of people.
(3)
John C.

Dy-No-Mite!!! (Gotta love Jimmie Walker) Started with the Dynamite appetizer that came out flaming on a plate. Oh the stares, I felt like I was totally cool...really? I'm not. Usually I get this in a tin foil wrapper, but the presentation and stares made it all worth it. AND...it was the best dish of the day. So sad that nothing could top this, but it was really really good. I'm a Groupon fool, so I had to make it to this place. It was worth the drive north...past the tracks to the other side of town. Man I gotta get out more. Had a variety of maki, a few nigiri...the super white tuna was good, nothing spectacular...and the Ikura seemed fresh. My round eye wife can't eat too much nigiri, so we stayed safe with the maki. Best one of the evening was the Spicy Tuna Tataki. Really, really good. I was disappointed by the Spicy Tuna hand roll. It wasn't very big, and you know what they say about the size of your hand roll... Finished the night off with some over-priced mochi, but since I was Grouponing it, I didn't care. Mochi was very tasty...yum. Dy-No-Mite!!! Had to say it one more time. Gotta love Good Times...and yes Janet Jackson was on that show!
(4)
Tiff H.

What should I give thanks for this Thanksgiving? Well, my wallet would like to thank Groupon. Thanks to you, I am able to try new restaurants and go back to old favorites with my lady and not feel so guilty because the bill is atrocious...especially with sushi! I've been to Kyoto a couple of times. It's BYOB, and the sushi is really good and definitely worth the price. Service is always friendly, even when they were slammed because of the Groupon deal. If you go, make reservations, even if it's during the week. I love the spicy crab and seaweed salad. The vegetable tempura is interesting, and I have been wanting to try to the scallop tempura for a while. The maki fairly decent sized, and the few times we've come here, we'll walk out spending about $25 a person including tip. I eat a lot......so a normal person would probably spend a little bit less than that.
(4)
Kevin T.

Great little sushi joint. All the specials are great especially the Gracie's cocktail, snowballs, eel/pepper/cream cheese tempura, and the tako yaki. BYOB With so many sushi (roll) places in the city it's hard to distinguish yourself but this place is great. They have sushi specials and a wide variety of Japanese items. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Scott B.

Why has it taken my almost 14 months to finally dine at Kyoto? Quite simple: The exterior of this place looks quite dated, and well, dirty. But, do not let this deter you! After Toro rudely informed us that they were no longer seating at 8:30 on a Sat. night, we, as faithful yelpers, pulled out our phones, and Kyoto was the next choice. With no reservations, 3 of us had approx. a 30 min. wait. This wasn't bad for a Sat. night @ 9:00. Once seated, we were promptly given 3 glasses for our wine, and placed our appetizer orders. I don't eat edamame, nor can I spell it; but, the ladies loved it. The seared rare tuna was awesome. As far as the main course, we shared several rolls. The ones I can remember: Salmon Crunch, Tuna Tataki, Kyoto Maki, Spider Maki, & Orange Sunshine. In addition, I had a few pices of nigiri. In my opinion, all of the sushi was very good. Granted, I've had better, but it was of very good quality, and the service was EXCELLENT! Usually, at a BYOB, the service can be sketchy, but not at Kyoto. The prices are a tad higher than most BYOB, but the service, in my opinion, makes up for this. I will return.
(4)
John C.

The sushi was delicious. My wife and I came on the last day our groupon was valid - MISTAKE. We arrived without reservations, but counted 13 empty tables. They definitely didn't anticipate the rush of last minute grouponers, because we waited for about 35 minutes before we were seated. Apparently they couldn't keep up with the take-out orders that evening. Okay, enough of the bad stuff. The Snowball appetizer was so delicious I've been thinking about it since I left. Fair ambiance, but it's bigger than other sushi places I've been in the city, which hopefully means that next time we come it won't be a problem to get a seat. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Amanda Z.

This review is for carry-out only...I didn't even see the restaurant. However, when I called to place the order, the guy was super nice and made recommendations. I appreciated that. Agedashi tofu: super yums Creamy maki: everything it's cracked up to be...the best roll we had! and very appropriately named. Fireball: spicy + crunchy = heaven in my mouth. although most sushi places offer a very similar roll, unlike the creamy maki, which is unique to Kyoto (as far as i know). Crunchy salmon: loved the crunch, but this roll was too fishy for me. if you're a big salmon fan (unlike myself), then def get this roll. Tatsuta Age: chicken nuggets for the kid...she seemed to love them. We had a Groupon for $50 and didn't even spend the whole amount w/all of the good food above...and we were all super full. Needless to say, the prices here are very reasonable. I look forward to getting sushi from Kyoto again!
(4)
Nick C.

Go with the Boat!
(4)
Tyler B.

Hands down the best sushi restaurant in Chicago! People are sleeping on this place. You can have your Japonais...I'll take Kyoto any day of the week. The staff is extremely friendly and the fish is as fresh as can be. My personal favorite rolls are the asparagus, orange sunshine, spicy tuna tataki and the snowball. Enjoy!
(5)
Kimberly L.

What a pleasant surprise and all thanks to Yelp Mobile. Please allow me to explain. I whipped out my blackberry last weekend to find a local sushi joint and I noticed all the great reviews. My pal and I hightailed it on over and--low and behold--here was Kyoto. "Oh no," I thought, "this place looks really dreary from the outside." I'd literally passed this place a million times before and, just from looks alone, I'd never wanted to go in. Even after reading all the reviews, I still hesitated. But here I was, hungry for sushi, at their doorstep. Why not give it a try? Boy am I glad I gave them a shot. Fresh sashimi, delicious maki and friendly service! And not dreary in the inside! Really! I will be back for more of the addictive Snowballs. OMG...I'm dreaming of them now. Super white tuna, truffle oil, scallion-y goodness. Hmmmm. You must have some...now.
(4)
Kyle H.

Just went here for the first time and will definitely be heading back. We had a nice mixture of an appetizer, a couple of Maki rolls and few pieces of sashimi and everything was excellent. The fish is very fresh and the rolls are a great combination of flavors. Also, the pork gyoza is delicious. Not at all gummy or doughy. The staff was incredibly nice, the service was prompt and the price was very reasonable. It's a BYOB so come prepared. They have the little carafe that keeps your sake cold and very cool little glasses. I don't have a bad thing to say about the place.
(4)
Lex E.

I hadn't eaten sushi in a couple of months and was really craving it! I went with a friend who had a Groupon that was expiring soon. With that said, the service wasn't spectacular because they got trounced with people trying to use their Groupons up. We didn't have a reservation but got seated at the sushi bar rather quickly even though the place was packed. I'm a very simple sushi person. I love salmon/avocado, tuna/avocado, yellowtail/scallion, shrimp/cucumber, king crab nigiri and not much else (due to food allergy restrictions to fried food). My friend ordered fancier rolls and loved them just as much as I loved my more simple rolls. The sushi chefs are really nice and very talented. Since we were at the bar they could hand us our food directly and asked us if everything was alright. The fish is very fresh and great tasting. I couldn't believe how good my tuna/avocado roll was. We also had strawberry mochi - which you can't go wrong with. I definitely recommend checking this place out!
(4)
Brittany M.

I'm normally a die hard Toro Sushi fan (I never go anywhere else now), but with a groupon in hand to this subterranean sushi joint, I figured it was ok (and healthy) to branch out. And I wasn't disappointed. The sushi was really fresh. I tried a couple of their special rolls, which were solid - nothing omg but still very good. It's a good sushi place to know in that bar-heavy area. Still favor Toro, but if you're not feeling an hour+ wait, Kyoto Sushi is a good alternative.
(4)
Jeanus T.

This is by far my favorite sushi restaurant in Chicago! Every dish is unique and tastes great!! Highly recommended! And it's BYOB so it saves on your wallet.
(5)
Matthew T.

4 stars for food, service, and variety. I, being the kind old man in a young person's body, decided to hit this acclaimed subterranean sushi spot during the happ'nin lunch hour of 2pm with a friend of mine. We walked down the solitary flight of stairs into the restaurant itself which, as I mentioned earlier, sits just below street level. I personally enjoy not having to hear all the hustle and bustle of the city while I'm eating my lunch, so this underground dining room was ideal for me, but I can see how some might be turned off to the idea. The dining room was large and obviously designed more for functionality than aesthetics; a handful of booths lined the sides of the interior and the rest of the open space is used for tables. While it is a functional space designed for capacity, the design doesn't detract from a very comfortable and professional environment. The menu is expansive to say the least and my friend and I perused it for about 20 minutes before placing our order. Our food came very quickly and was so stunning visually that i didn't want to eat it, just look on in awe and wonder until my hunger became too much to bear. This place isn't cheap, but you get every penny's worth. We got 3 orders of maki (California Roll, Spicy Salmon Roll, Spicy Maguro/Unagi Roll) and some Maguro sashimi to share. It doesnt sound like much, but it would have been easy to have ordered another 3 or 4 orders of Maki because there were so many intriguing original dishes to be had. The maguro and unagi all but melts in your mouth, just the way i like it. Each slice of the maki looked as big as a mini appetizer making one order a good item to share with a companion and each section was stuffed with great ingredients. The roll I chose, dubbed the "Fireball Maki", is unagi and maguro w/ a little spicy mayo, some tempura, and nice chunks of fresh jalapeno making it both a flavorful and textural delight. The food was top notch, hands down; easily as good as your "best" local sushi restaurant. While food quality and service are impeccable, lack of alcohol service stops this rating short at 4 stars. While i would eat here all the time, people like my parents and other inhabitants of Lincoln Park would be instantly turned off by a lack of Sake which some will say is a quintessential part of eating at a Japanese restaurant. This is not a cheap place either, and by cheap I mean price and quality. Great for dates, business lunches or birthdays, just be prepared to pay for a higher standard of food and service. Best part was that I got 15% off my total bill by using my restaurant coupon swiss army knife aka Chitownmenus.com . I just looked up the place before i went and found a handful of coupons at my disposal including 15% off my bill for being a student, free appetizers and cash off carryout service. Kyoto is fantastic, seriously people, eat here. Delicious fresh ingredients, fast and friendly service, a cool ambiance to relieve you from the summer heat and a giant menu should be more than enough to get any sushi lover in here to chow down.
(4)
Linda C.

I'm definitely a sushi snob & this place makes the grade! I have tried a good amount of sushi places here in Chicago but this place definitely is my favorite spot. I'm always seated right away. Wait staff are pretty good but the sushi kings are the best! Very quick & meticulous. If you go, you HAVE to order the 'Creamy Roll'!!! It's amazing, melts in your mouth & leaves you wanting more. Pretty pricey but the most delicious roll I've ever had! Also they serve a hefty portion of Green Tea Ice-cream which is my fave.
(5)
Becca S.

Do not be fooled by the super cheesy looking sign out front. I've driven past Kyoto a million times because it's near my house and on my route to many cool places. I never even thought to stop there. The sign is silly. If they can't even manage to secure a decent sign, how can they make decent sushi? I am sure you all agree with my logic. I bought a Groupon for Kyoto so I decided to give it a try. I'll go almost anywhere Groupon tells me to. Well thank you Groupon. Kyoto is delicious. We went on a super busy Friday night (we luckily had reservations which I highly recommend). The waiter was pretty delayed coming to our table because they seemed understaffed and he had many tables. (actually a sign outside that says "servers wanted") but we got water and cucumber salad right away, and when we finally ordered our sushi came out quicker than any sushi restaurant I'd been to. The traditional rolls like spicy tuna didn't disappoint, and the specialty rolls were unique and tasty. I had one with crab and an orange on top which I'd go back for again and again. I love sweet and savory foods together. They do carry out as well, and the Groupon is valid as well if you have one burning a hole in your pocket.
(4)
carolyn h.

4.5 Food: I have been here twice, both times I had the Ahi Tuna flatbread. I enjoyed it. It was different from the normal starter I would expect at a sushi restarant. I also love the Summer Dragon Maki. The fish is very fresh and the rolls were beautiful when they arrived. Price: It's BYOB which helps, I think the prices are worth every penny. The flavors are unique and the rolls aren't the same typical flavor profiles that you see on every menu Service: Very friendly, attentive without being annoying. The timeing of our apps and the main course was right on the mark. Ambiance: IT feels like you are walking into an authentic sushi restarant. I liked it a lot. It's different from a lot of othe sushi places in Chicago.
(4)
Triphena W.

Good, safe food. HUGE menu. Sushi and cooked food available. I ordered a boat that came with six of their signature/contemporary rolls ($65). All but one of the rolls contained tempura crunch, which rendered them nearly indistinguishable. I probably should have ordered only one or two signature rolls and then other items such as nigiri, simple maki, udon, etc. The service was very warm and friendly. Lighting verges on the darker side. Casual. BYOB. Free parking lot behind the restaurant.
(3)
Fran R.

My boyfriend and I used our Groupon on coupon last night. We arrived around 7:30 it was busy. But then they sold like 2,300 groupon coupons. Started slowing down a bit aroun 8:30 or so. This place is BYOB. But that was not a problem. They place is small and very pretty. We ordered the combinations, Beef Teriyaki and Sushi & Tempura. The miso soup and seeweed/cuc salad were great. The beef was cooked to order. The tempua is out of this world and the sushi is just wonderful. We also ordered a few pcs of sushi and Maki Mono. Out of this world. It is really worth the money. I think this is one of the best sushi places I have eaten. We will be back.
(5)
Dave F.

Best sushi in town, not even close
(5)
lana v.

This is my favorite sushi place in Chicago for several reasons. They offer free parking right behind the restaurant, the staff and management are very friendly, it is BYOB and the food is excellent! I have been here so many times, with girlfriends, my husband, and my entire family including our toddler. This restaurant is very child friendly, the owner/manager always greets my daughter with a huge smile, gets us an excellent table, and has even sent over free miso soup for her. The snowball appetizer is amazing, as well as the tuna tataki, the creamy, and many other rolls. Both the rolls and the sashimi are always very fresh. I have been to so many sushi restaurants all over Chicago, but this one is hands down my favorite.
(5)
Samantha B.

I recently moved directly next door to Kyoto, so I thought Woo Hoo a Sushi place that I can walk to in under a minute. I gathered up my boyfriend and told a couple of friends to meet us there for an early dinner. We walked in and were seated by a gracious host, off to a good start! Now with this said, I should have looked at Yelp reviews to see what the best items were to order (my big mistake). We started off with vegetable gyoza and edamame, we decided to play it safe...I think this was a bad idea. The edamame was ok, a bit soggy and the gyoza were very tasty but extremely soggy. We also order a bunch of rolls. 1). The Philadelphia Roll (Fresh Salmon, cream cheese and scallions): This roll was my least favorite. It had so much cream cheese that I couldn't taste anything else. Ick 2). Spider Maki (Soft shell crab, cucumber, avocado, masago & mayo): A pretty good roll, it had fantastic texture which I expect from a spider roll; I would recommend this to anyone who likes soft shell crab 3). Kyoto Maki (Spicy tuna, crab, tobiko, tempura unagi): This roll was great. The spicy tuna and crab paired well together and the tempura added a crunchy texture that made the roll perfect. 4). Fiesta Maki (Tuna, Salmon, cilantro, jalapeno, avocado, masago and spicy mayo). This roll was good, but it could have been better. All of the ingredients paired fantastically well together. The reason I ordered this roll is because I LOVE Cilantro and if I could date a pepper, jalapeno would be a front runner. Problem-I couldnt taste the jalapeno or the cilantro. What the heck? Maybe next time I can ask for extra. 5). Fireball (Unagi, avocado, spicy tuna, jalapeno, truffle oil, topped with tempura crunch, chili oil, unagi sauce & wasabi tobiko): MY HANDS DOWN FAVORITE. Remember the spice that was lacking in the fiesta maki? Well I found it in the fireball. This roll was full of flavor and had perfectly paired flavors. I will return just for this roll. As I said earlier in this review, we may have played it too safe. In many other reviews of Kyoto patrons seemed to try the items that were more out of the box. The only out of the box item we ordered was the fireball, which turned out to be my favorite. I struggled with what to rate this place (I wish there was a 3 1/2 stars). Should I give them three or four? Hmmm...as you can see I settled on three stars. Why three? Well the food was good but not some of the best I have ever had. Also, the prices were a bit steep considering some of the best sushi in Chicago offers similar items for a lesser price. Will I come back? Yup...I sure will. Not only is it steps from my apartment but I have so much more to try. I plan on trying the more creative options. We will see what my rating is after I try the creative options. I am actually looking forward to it. Till' next time
(3)
Suana W.

warning: sushi snob alert. i'm from california and have eaten my way through some awesomely fresh and tasty places in LA/SF so i'm pretty picky. i basically categorize sushi into two: saucy rolls vs. traditional sushi/sashimi. this was definitely a saucy roll, asian fusiony type of place. altho my group ordered nigiri omakase, the pieces of nigiri came all decked out with toppings, most of which were really creamy. overall, it was good, but i can't help but think creamy dressings are mostly used to cover the taste of not-as-fresh-as-it-should-be fish. plus they did not have any uni *sad face* also, the sushi chef did not know what yuzu was! whaaaaaaaaat! (and yes, i know how this sounds) altho to be fair, they had decent sweet shrimp. the bill was also higher than i expected, for the quality. anyways, will keep exploring the sushi joints in the Midwest and hopefully settle on a regular place sometime soon!
(3)
cos f.

I loved coming here for years , and then mysteriously they closed... so sad... but now they are open again , with better looking dining room and how can it be better food.... the quality for the price was what kept me coming here first and I never wanted to really tell too many people about this place ...again I have hesitated to write this but I hate for them not to stay open here ... the fish is fresh , and interesting items on the menu . The waitress was a bit scattered and brought us extra food , another diners order, when we told her she had said no problem and we ate that too..but other than that the service was good and attentive. The one odd thing was the addition of a large screen tv that at points was playing mcdonald's commercials ... it was odd to be waiting for a delicious sushi meal and see large screen close ups of bugers... BYOB makes this place a fav...
(4)
Jackie C.

Favorite Sushi place yet I have been to in Chicago~ Creamy Roll, Spicy Tuna Tataki Maki= Yum!
(5)
Jon M.

After reading reviews I tried the Spicy Snowball and it was amazing. Spicy Dragon roll was also great, but had huge pieces of jalapeno, so you'd better like a lot of spice. Sashimi pieces were pretty small. I'd probably just skip them next time and get the house special rolls. The only problem I have now is deciding between Tank or Kyoto for my favorite sushi place.
(5)
Chad I.

Best step down sushi in the city. Ask the chef to prepare his suggestion. Tuna tataki!! Tony is awesome.
(5)
Mike K.

Outstanding food and service...will visit again soon
(5)
Taylor P.

This is by far my favorite takeout place for sushi. Fresh and great rolls, my favorite is the Orange sunshine. One time my order was lost and the manager gave me a $10 coupon for my next visit for my troubles. Always a friendly staff and a great overall place!
(5)
Ali W.

My friend and I came on a Wednesday night thinking it wouldn't be that busy. We were wrong. I highly recommend making a reservation or coming early. Also if you are pretty flexible with sharing tables, you may be seated quicker if you are willing to share a 6 person table with another couple. It actually isn't a bad idea considering the place is packed and you're pretty much sitting on top of the people next to you anyway. Overall the sushi was good and at a good price. I do have to say the caterpillar roll is kinda fishy (rather fishy-er tasting) than other rolls. We also got the asparagus roll and that was surprising really good! I can't remember the other rolls we got (so they weren't anything special). Our neighbors got the Love Boat and that thing looked huge! I think I would try it next time.
(3)
Nana H.

Ummm there are a lot of good sushi places in Chicago, and I think this one is just slightly sub par. A groupon brought me here, and without it I would of thought it was too expensive. The fish was fresh, and the service was good, but the thing is that NOTHING stood out for me. It was a typical, basic sushi spot. What makes it slightly subpar for me is that the fact the rice on the maki was falling apart, and each piece of the maki was in fact rolled poorly. I also had once piece of tuna that was cut improperly, leaving the unsightly white muscle thing that fish have in plain sight. But like I said, everything tasted good and If i was in a sushi pinch (which should happen more often) and in the hood I'd probably come back, its just that well...I've totally had better.
(2)
Mike J.

This place is a solid 4.5. I always envision the Yelp review I would write as I am in a restaurant but never actually make it to Yelp to finally write the review. I enjoyed this meal so much I decided to go for it..... We used a $22 groupon that covered $45 worth of sushi. My boyfriend and I shared the Love Boat and it was SO GOOD! Everything was perfect. Our server, David, was totally kind and didn't give us any attitude about using a Groupon. The busser that was working was so on point! Water was always full, dishes cleared promptly, and extra napkins provided. The sushi itself was unique and tasty- a few of the rolls had seared fish on them which offered an interesting take on traditional sushi taste. For a $5 corkage fee they brought an ice bucket for our white wine and two glasses. Excellent place- can't wait to go back!
(5)
Bridget S.

We came here on a weekday night for dinner. It's BYOB so we picked up some beer to have along with our meal. The decor is nice and it looks like they get good business. The prices were as expected for a sushi restaurant and the menu had plenty of options. We had takoyaki for our appetizer which was quite tasty, and we ordered an assortment of Maki rolls and nigiri. The quality of everything was good, but the service was AMAZING. The staff was friendly and attentive the entire time we were there. I definitely would not mind coming back here.
(5)
Tian Y.

This entire little strip of storefronts kinda feels like a little time capsule in the middle of LP - a little eerie feeling and super quaint and old. That alone always made me want to eat here. My friend also kept saying she heard good things about it, so finally this week we stopped by for sushi. The interior is really warm and cozy with dim lights but still has a modern feel to it. I kinda expected it to have more traditional decor and a super chill atmosphere so... That'll teach me to judge a restaurant by its storefront, right? :( it definitely feels like a good place to bring a bottle of wine and catch up with friends over casual sushi on a weekday. Most of the diners we saw were doing exactly that. We wanted a fish focused night so my go to is always the sashimi platter. The summer dragon roll stuck out to me so ordered that and a more filling tonkatsu entree to round out the dinner. Waitress was friendly, food came speedily, but it wasn't good. The fish wasn't really fresh even by Chicago standards. And for the advertised "20 pieces" I think a few tamago were included in that count, and some pieces sliced to about half the typical size. I don't think I've ever received such a stingy sashimi plate for the price I paid. The tonkatsu was crispy, but the inside was like spongy dry. The summer dragon roll was pretty good in flavor, esp since the sauces distracted me from the low fish quality. I would wait for Mitch at Toro for hours over eating here. Fresh fish, good flavors, and more affordable/reasonable prices just a 10min walk away. After eating here, the only really great thing I have to say about Kyoto is still... Just the storefront :/
(3)
Lucas W.

Came here this weekend because it's nearby and had no wait on a Saturday night. What sushi place in Chicago has no wait on a Friday or Saturday night?! At no point during my visit was there a line. The atmosphere is fantastic. You go down half a flight of stairs into this very warm and welcoming restaurant with a nice sushi bar at the back and a TV over the normal bar at the front of the restaurant. Something about the place, just a great vibe to it. The sushi was good, not the best sushi I've ever had, but pretty good. The rolls were all strong, none of the rolls stood out as uniquely impressive, but I did quite like the two spicy rolls we got, I believe the Fiesta and Fireball (although both could use more spice if you ask me). And I like their price points as well. The fish was good, though there could've been a bit more of the fish. Also got an unagi roll and salmon roll. Both were pretty standard, can't go wrong with those options. The lady next to us at the sushi bar had clearly been drinking too much before coming to sushi dinner, but the servers all did their best to accommodate her while taking the lighter side of the situation with my gf and myself. Overall, I'd go back, especially since the price point and service was good. By the way, check Groupon, apparently they've had some good deals
(4)
Tamir G.

Nice little joint. Great selection of rolls. Spicy snowball was the one! Make sure to bring you own alcoholic beverage as as this is a byob place.
(4)
Daniel Y.

My evening date with my wife started off so well and showed promise, but began to fall off the rails after placing our order. I was pleased to find out that there was parking in the back (thx for the tip Yelpers!) and the interior of the restaurant set a nice mood for an evening date. My wife and I were quickly seated and our waitress was very pleasant. We went with her recommendation of trying the spicy snowball appetizer (which really should be listed under rolls...) What a wonderful start and treat. Super white tuna dipped in truffle oil and lightly seared? Just as delicious as it sounds. We played the waiting game from there. My wife noticed that our rolls were made toute de suite and were placed on the side table ready for our waitress to serve it to us. We must have stared at our plate for 10-15 minutes before our waitress picked it up from the sushi bar and served it to us. I felt bad that she seemed to be the only waitress while the place was quickly filling up on a Thursday evening. Why only one waitress for all the tables in this place?? I ordered the steak teriyaki combo and my wife ordered a few rolls - spicy scallop, spicy tuna, and spider. Everything was so nicely plated and looked great. The rolls tasted okay, but my mouth started to dry out with each bite. I was starting to drink water like I was in the desert. The rice was drying my mouth and every bite was a chore. Was this old rice? Was the rice not seasoned properly? Probably a little of both... it just ruined what could have been very good rolls. The steak teriyaki was medium done just like I asked, and it had a nice pink in the middle of each slice, but here was another area where it was *DRY*. Why?? I really wanted to give this place a shot with how well it started, but lack of service (only one waitress??) and food not made on the mark are two strikes right there.
(3)
Philip D.

Came here with a bitty because of a sweet groupon deal, 45 dollars worth of sushi for 22 bucks Had the popular rolls, fireball, snowball, and one spicey one - VERY solid place. Delicious sushi. The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is there wasn't anything super special to make it stand out, but hands down in the top 90th percentile. I've lived in Japan for a year, and have also had more sushi than most people have had hot meals. Our waiter was knowledgeable, a little MIA because it was busy. SOLID 4 stars!
(4)
Katie E.

We live close to Kyoto and let me tell you, this is our favorite sushi place in Lincoln Park. We had a bad experience at Nori on Diversey, and Ringo was mediocre. Kyoto is hands down the best and most fresh sushi in the area. We have been there close to 5 times in the last 4 months, and have never had a bad experience. The staff is friendly and attentive, the decor is fantastic and we have yet to try the sushi boat, but that will be our next purchase! BYOB too, how much better can it get?!
(5)
Phil S.

We went out for my birthday on Wednesday night Dec. 17th & had a taste for Japanese food. I looked on Groupon & saw Kyoto Japanese Restaurant. When we found the address it was difficult to tell if there was a restaurant or if it was open. I had to cross Lincoln Avenue and check the times on the door. In talking to the owner Tony he told me that the building has restrictions on putting signage on the building. I have lived in Chicago my entire life and driven by this location hundreds of times without even realizing it was there. (Thanks Groupon). The current owner has been at this location for about 8 years. This restaurant has been there approximately 25 years and is worth checking out. After realizing there was a restaurant downstairs. This restaurant had a very nice mix with tastefully done colors, artwork & shoji screens. Surprisingly the restaurant was fairly crowded on a Wednesday night which could account for the relatively slow service. My wife and I both ordered combination platters in a bento box that came with Seaweed salad, crab meat pieces, vegetable & shrimp tempura, edamame, California roll with ginger & wasabi and a choice of meats. (Very nice presentation). My wife got the salmon teriyaki (which was very good) & I got the New York Strip teriyaki which was also good, but had a few poor choices on the meat as they had gristle that made these pieces unchewable. Overall the meal was pretty good with nice size portions & a nice variety of items in the combination platter. The waitress did bring me a flan with caramelized sugar on it for my birthday which was nice. There are a couple of other things that future diners should be aware of. The restaurant has free parking in the rear and has a BYOB policy as we found out later as this was our first time. Ambiance 4.5 Food. 4.0 Food presentation 4.5 Service. 3.0 Overall 4.0
(4)
Amanda M.

More of a 3.5. Space was fine and cute...pretty standard looking sushi joint. Have to say our server was very nice and helpful who checked on us regularly. Our group of 4 was there Sunday evening and place was about half occupied. We got the snowball, seared tuna and beef asparagus rolls to start. The seared tuna and snowball were both delicious. The beef rolls were quite good as well and filling, as there were about 8 pieces of beef, as I recall. I got the negi hamaci, sake make, craky maki, and spider maki rolls. Wished there were more of the soft shell crab as it was quite good. However, the use of imitation crab really hindered the roll. This isn't a fancy schmancy place so it wasn't a huge deal. However, the fish in most of the rolls were nearly non-existent...super small pieces surrounded by much rice. I'm accustomed to seeing more rice than fish in places, but this one was even more extreme. The taste of all rolls were good though. Fish and rice seemed fresh. After the apps came, I added 2 oyster shoots to our order. Also wanted uni nigiri, but they were out of uni. The shooters took a long time to come. We were all done with our food and our table was cleared out when the shooters finally came. It came in a cute champagne flute. This was very good, as the balance of flavors and textures were quite perfect. Overall, this is a solid go-to spot as fish is fresh and while the maki rolls may not be the best, this place isn't as expensive as others either. Also, there are some definite outstanding items at this place. Service was also pretty good.
(3)
Anna C.

Honestly, you should try Kyoto at least once! Everything the chef prepared was delicious. From the very first bite of the yellowtail -- I knew that I was going to have a great meal! (and I normally don't order anything other than salmon and unagi, but everything I tried tonight was amazing!) be a little adventurous and try something new! It wasn't just a piece of fish on some rice but a beautiful piece of art that the chef delicately put together mmm I really enjoyed all the individual sushi (especially the salmon roe!) Great service, very attentive Awesome Atmosphere Free Parking Very accommodating when reserving seats and asking to be seated at the sushi bar Last, but not least, food was excellent!
(5)
M N.

Survey says: worth it if you have the groupon as a table of 2. Summary: would rank this place slightly above Sushi Para for quality but below Sushi Toro. For non-groupon prices, I'd rather have the wait at Sushi Toro for tastier sushi. Pro: Takes reservations BYOB Con: $5 corking fee (Sushi para has none) No all you can eat option Little flexibility in the roll options for boats and platters (not shocking but would be nice to pick 3 out of 5 or something) Really enjoyed the salmon roll with avocado, spicy mayo, honey, and tempura crunch. Would order again.
(4)
Megan S.

I was using a groupon. It's a quint garden level restaurant. The food and service were great. I've had better sushi but it was worth the groupon.
(3)
Dena O.

Some of the best sushi I've had in Chicago. Really nice staff. Would give it a 4.5 if that was possible.
(4)
Lauren L.

Great place for sushi and BYOB! All of the rolls included in the spicy boat were outstanding. A little intimate restaurant with some friendly staff and fast sushi chefs. There is a groupon going on right now and our waiter had no problem taking care of of bill with it. Don't be deterred by the groupon as a way of driving business because of poor food because that is not the case at all! I think the location is just not ideal! I also ordered the Philadelphia roll which was creamy and had scallions, very delicious. Then the bowl of udon noodles and vegetables was great too! No complaints!
(5)
Jaci Y.

Kyoto Sushi is alright. We went there for a date last night and we had a groupon. Thank goodness for a groupon because I wouldn't have wanted to eat there without one. Prices are high for dinner perhaps their lunch specials are better. We liked their snow ball it was delicious. Waitress is friendly however, I did notice whenever the sushi guys busted out sushi the waitress for some reason just didn't serve up to the tables right away. The sushi would be sitting on a table for a good 10 minute or more before it gets served. I feel the Japanese style food there wasn't meant for picky Asians like me. It's good and fine for people who are willing to pay expensive prices for American style Japanese food. That's my opinion. $20 and up for a bento and it was just okay.
(3)
Mary N.

Just had the love boat and I'm in love!!! Jack was our waiter and was very knowledgable and friendly. We'll be coming back!
(5)
Jackie M.

Love the sushi here! The creamy roll is amazing as well as many of their other rolls. The restaurant is in a basement that makes it very dark and intimate which I like. It is also a BYOB with a $5 cork charge for the whole table, cheapest I've seen in the city. They have a Groupon out frequently that I would suggest buying!
(5)
Tera D.

Kyoto was good! We had been meaning to try it for a long time, and we weren't disappointed. There's no doubt, this place is popular! I would highly recommend a reservation, at least if you are going on a weekend. We went on a Friday and boy do they pack you in there. Not much for ambiance, but the service was good, the sushi was tasty and it's BYOB! While none of the rolls totally blew me away, all were good and the prices were reasonable. If I'm in the hood, I would definitely go back.
(3)
Richard O.

A 5 star Japanese restaurant, tough to find in Chicago. Lost a star for the cheap wooden chopsticks. Food was excellent!
(4)
David P.

I tried the spicy sushi boat by myself just to get idea of the different flavors these guys could create..... I wasn't impressed..... Most of the rolls seemed similar..... I've traveled the world and have tried sushi from everywhere...... Not that impressed.... Wish I could say it was better..... It wasn't....
(3)
Kevin M.

I really wanted to like Kyoto, and I'd heard it was one of the better BYOB sushi places around. We had a group of 4 on a Thursday night and the atmosphere was actually really enjoyable - service was good, music wasn't too loud, tables were comfortable. I would give the overall service/ambience 4 stars, but we just didn't have a good experience with the food. BYOB Pro Tip - there is a $5 cork fee even if you just bring beer. I thought this was a sly move - not sure if this is common elsewhere? Apps: gyoza and scallops. gyoza was actually really good, but small portions. Scallops were rubbery and absolutely doused in spicy mayo to make up for their mediocrity. Sushi: we did all rolls, 3 specialty and 3 "basic". Only 2 of the 6 were good. The spicy tuna was reaaaaally fishy, the philly was basically like biting into a whole cucumber, and one of the specialty rolls (forget which, but it was very spicy) was actually unbearable to eat. The whole time I was thinking, "thank God we didn't order sashimi or nigiri" since the actual quality of the fish just wasn't good. Accidentally bought 2 groupons...so I guess I'll be back. But I'm getting udon,
(2)
Gabriela V.

The food is good but, HORRIBLE service as soon as my party and I walked into the restaurant. The hostesses was rude and short and the waiter took forever to take our order and bring our food. Down the street from Kyoto Sushi Bar there is an amazing sushi bar called Ringo the employees are friendly and welcoming and the restaurant has a run feel to it and I've never had to wait over 10 minutes for food I highly recommend this spot.
(2)
Patrick O.

Been going here since we moved to Lincoln Park (5 years ago) it's our favorite sushi spot in the city. It's very consistent (except on Wednesday's, we got old fish once...), and is probably what most people think of when they think of a 'good sushi place'. We suggest the Creamy & the edamame- lots of other people have suggested the snowball, so we'll try that tonight!
(5)
Radha K.

My last review was in April of 2013 and we've been coming here whenever we can (Groupon or not) to get the Spicy Sushi Boat. Don't think that two people with determination can't put it down! The service is still wonderful - you're never rushed in/out and the staff is very friendly. The food is obviously great as well. Not sure if we should expand our horizons and get something other than the spicy sushi boat, but we have never gone wrong with it. I will love this place 4eva.
(5)
Tony M.

This place was perfect after seeing a show at the Apollo Theater next door. Their sushi rolls are moderately priced and delicious. It is BYOB and a nice quiet spot for a date!
(4)
Joann V.

Sushi craving kinda night so decided to see if there were any good Groupon deals, found this place so decided to try it out. We tried their Spicy Boat, honestly the first time where the sushi was actually spicy-loved it! Our waitress was awesome too, so friendly and sweet. Definitely going back. Also, BYOB.
(4)
Ben C.

Japanese/French couple living in Chicago was searching for a good place to eat real sushi & more. We were disappointed in other so called "japanese" restaurant where you find no Japanese staff, so our expectation was high with Kyoto Sushi R. In general, this is pretty good, service and interior as well). Thanks Yelpers and Groupon.
(3)
Bridget C.

I like Kyoto for many reasons, but also dislike it for some. As far as the quality of the fish, it is fantastic. Really fresh cuts, beautiful presentation, incredible flavor. I really like the ambiance of the restaurant. On the outside, it looks a bit dull and boring, but the inside is surprisingly nice. It is dark, which I enjoy for a relaxing meal. I have been there twice now, both times I used a groupon. With the groupon, it is a great value, but without the coupon, it is more expensive than other sushi restaurants that I frequent. It could be that I order sashimi, which is usually a bit pricey compared to regular sushi rolls. The thing that bothers me the most about this restaurant is that both times that I went, I made special requests as far as fish preference. Both times, they made mistakes with my orders. They did fix the mistake, but on the second occasion that I was there, the server attempted to blame me for the mistake. I even asked my boyfriend if I had misspoke when I placed my order, and he was also positive that I had made my usual requests. I even offered to pay extra for my preferences. They also forgot to bring my side of rice both times. I know these things are picky, but if I don't seem to have these service issues at other sushi restaurants in the area. I love the ambiance and the food. I do not love the service and the prices. Would I go here again? Yes, but only if I had the groupon. It is not worth it to me without it.
(3)
Rich H.

I come here with my girlfriend and sit at the sushi bar and get BYOB wine tipsy. So we're off to a good start. Personally I'm a low key, traditional sushi guy. Little veggie, little tuna, you know. She on the other hand likes these high end Cadillac rolls with caviar and 24k gold flake. Together we have tried probably everything on the menu. Do try: tofu, sweet potato and Miami. Sometimes they spell out "PARTY" on the Miami roll which mami and papi like. Do not try: plum.
(5)
Vivienne H.

We came here on Saturday night, it's surprisingly easy to find a parking spot. Good atmosphere and wonderful service. We started with Miso Soup and had Traditional Boat, all great and fresh, but I think we should try Spicy Boat next time since looks like everyone ordered it. Btw check the Groupon before you come.
(4)
Hana M.

Seriously, we have been going to this place for over 5 years!!! I absolutely love the staff especially the owner and the three sushi chefs (V.E.B.) Let me tell you, my fiance and I do not order off the menu since we have had practically EVERYTHING in the menu and they are fantastic!! Especially the snowball and kaki fried. After our 3rd time coming here we ALWAYS get off menu makis and they are BEYOND amazing!! We just left and Im yelping this place... Know why? Because I had the BEST maki of my life. Had this smoked salmon specialty role and it just melts in your mouth amazing. There's not a name for it but order it. Its sooooo good that I am STILL talking about it. Overall this place is amazing because of the food and the people. I will always come here when it comes to sushi. And please, trust the chefs and just say make whatever. One of the best decision you'll ever have in your life!
(5)
Fady E.

Solid 5 stars! Amazing sushi, great little place with a cozy feel, and excellent service. What more can you ask for? A break in the price? Well, you're in luck, it's on Groupon and over a thousand bought and I wouldn't be surprised to see 1000 more 5 star reviews if they all went on Yelp to review it.
(5)
Benjamin U.

Had the traditional boat. Pretty simple and tasty. Bit over priced but a groupon is usually available which makes it worth it.
(3)
Nikhil M.

Came here on a Groupon with the girlfriend. The place was pretty busy and we liked the interiors. Quite cosy for a cold Chicago night. We had two of the signature rolls including the creamy roll and the crunchy salmon roll but they weren't anything to write home about. I also tried the udon which was decent. Service was slow.
(3)
Sarah H.

Well, I don't think I'll be back. To state my bias, I did get the flu the next day; you know how that goes, ending up hating whatever you ate last. I just was not overly impressed. We ordered the Creamy, Miami and lula rolls and I did not enjoy them nearly as much as I have at other places. Fundamentally, they sounded good on the menu but didn't deliver on being a worthy-of-second visits.
(2)
Anli C.

Our group of four came for dinner on a random early Tuesday night, expecting quick service and Americanized sushi. Surprisingly they managed to miss that fairly average expectation. The service was sporadic, missing our request for extra wasabi, forgetting the tempura sauce, mistaking our order of dynamite maki for a dragon, etc... The maki..., well, it's the sushi buffet quality at the most. It looked amateur frankly. The taste was alright, but far from 'great'. Two of us ordered Katsu combos, which were exactly what you would expect from shopping mall food court. I have to give them credit for the good value since the combo came with variety of seaweed salad, california roll, edamame. tempura as sides, but again, you will see that from food court vendors, who'd joyfully pass you samples of deep fried pork... Might have missed something from this place given some good reviews here, but sorry, not my cup of tea.
(2)
Sandy R.

Kyoto is my go to sushi place. It's nothing fancy just a great location with really fresh fish. Another plus is easy street parking. The service is friendly. They have some interesting sashimi options like the stuffed tomato which is crab inside raw tuna and dynamite nigiri - a spicy scallop wrapped with raw salmon. Their oyster shooters are fabulous.
(5)
C D.

The staffs are very friendly. The atmosphere is very nice. Friend and I went to the place during the weekdays and it was pretty busy. We ordered an appetizer, udon noodles, and sushi. The foods were just mediocre. Nothing was really special.
(3)
Kate K.

We originally stopped in on a Groupon deal and have made this our weekly spot - we even made reservations for Valentines day! The sushi is delish. The atmosphere makes this place. It is a step down from the road so it's cozy. It features trendy Asian decor and lighting. There's also a huge TV. We can have a classy sushi date AND catch the hawks game?! Did I mention this place BYOB?! Ohhhh, Kyoto. Rock on.
(5)
Sarah B.

I had dinner here tonight, so I'm writing this review while it is fresh in my head. My friend and I had a pleasant experience here tonight. We were able to pick a table at one of the booths and decided to order a sushi boat. The Tako Yaki came out first and was nice and hot and yummy. Our server was friendly and came to check on us a few times throughout our meal. Between the server and the other waitstaff, our glasses of water were never left empty. The Love Boat was comprised of a good variety of rolls, but I can't remember the names of them all. My favorite was the one that had the seared fish on top, what I liked best was that it was seared perfectly and didn't have any taste from the food torch. I didn't know this place is BYOB, but since we will be coming back to eat here again, we will likely bring some wine with us next time. I look forward to coming back and trying a greater variety of what the menu has to offer. I also liked that the lighting was dim and since it's downstairs from street level, it had a really cozy feel to it.
(4)
Bonita G.

I've been here several times before and had great service and food. But last night, after being on the road for 6 hours of post-holiday travel, we decided to go for sushi and got here at 9:15, knowing that they closed at 10pm. We figured, hey, we'll be done by 10! We're starving, we can order quickly, it shouldn't be a problem, right? Wrong. The host acted like we had no right to be there as soon as we walked in, telling us they were closing. When i pointed out they were open until 10, he backtracked and made the excuse of, "we don't want to rush you." Um, dude, hello! There's ONE other table here! PLEASE TAKE MY MONEY, i want to give it to you!! I tried to tell him how hungry we were and how we could order quickly (so as not to be a burden to the waitstaff and chefs) but at that point it just felt like I was begging. We left, very disgruntled, and walked over to Nori where they also (politely) let us know they were closing at 10, but we were still seated and ordered without problems. Our service there was great. Sorry Kyoto, maybe next time you'll be a little nicer to a customer who is basically begging you to take her money.
(2)
Nikki P.

First off, I'm a Sushi SNOB and have eaten at so many sushi spots. KYOTO...IS....are you listening?? Kyoto is the BEST place in ILLINOIS for Sushi. Point blank. I have never had sushi as close to the freshness and deliciousness as Kyoto offers. I went for my first time a few years ago with a current BF and we had a Groupon. We walked in and they just opened so it wasn't busy. They suggested we sit by the sushi bar since it was out first time there. Now I'm a chef so I heard there were two brothers who make these creations. Carlo and Melvin were making sushi right in front of us...what a great time. They were sooo sweet and gave us some free tastings of a few rolls since they heard it was our first time there. I think we tried the Spicy Snowball, Dynamite, Eight Ball, and something else. We were ALREADy impressed. Though we love sushi I have a small stomach. But we loooove Spicy and had our sights on the Spicy Boat. Spicy Boat ($65) includes: Fireball, Spicy Tuna Tataki, Fiesta, Spicy Shrimp Tempura, Dynamite, Spicy Cruinchy Salmon. We get this EVERY TIME. This review would be a million paragraphs if I described each roll. Just say I have never had a roll where I could taste EVERY SINGLE ingredient in EVERY roll. I was just blown away. The flavors pop in your mouth, fish is so fresh, and it's actually spicy (I'm also a spice freak). I got a piece of Sake, Maguro, Super White Tuna, and Tako Nigiri. All fresh and delicious. We were going to order an appetizer but were told we were ordering a lot. They are always right. I got 2-3 pieces of Nigiri and the Boat and I ususally bring 8-15 pieces home, And man-o-man the sushi the next day tatses like you just got in fresh (shows that they use great fish). I am DYING to try the Creamy Roll Since I looove Avocado but am alwayts stuck with the Spicy Boat. But sometime soon. The place is a little expensive yes...but I go 2-3 times a year and indulge in every piece of sushi when I'm eating. The atmosphere is relaxed, the staff is great. They even gave us a free Creme Brulee for my mom's birthday when she came in from NY for her birthday. Sooo sweet :) Period; if you want the best and the freshest sushi EVER...go to Kyoto. You will NOT regret it.
(5)
Laura M.

Love, love, love. We come here at least a few times a month. The food is consistently top notch as is the service. Miami, Sunshine, Creamy, and Sweet Potato are some of our delicious standbys. Tried the Lula tonight and it was awesome also. Becky is a terrific waitress and they always have a Groupon.
(5)
Jess P.

"Maybe I'm in be wrong place?" "Maybe I ordered the wrong thing?" "Is my waitress intoxicated?" "Where tf is the bathroom?" These are just a few questions that I had to ask myself when I ate here. Let me tell you: the sushi is average at best, the bathroom is pretty much in the kitchen, and yes I'm pretty sure my waitress was because despite practically yelling at her from across the restaurant to take our order after waiting 36 minutes after sitting down, she looked at me like she didn't know where she was. Then the food came and it was ok. Not memorable, but the shrimp tempura roll was ok. Just everything was ok. Would I return? Probably not. There are so many better sushi places in this neighborhood alone that I wouldn't waste money or time going somewhere that was so average I forgot the name of the restaurant until I saw it pop up on here.
(2)
Jenn H.

Wonderful BYO gem! Went here with a couple of coworkers after work on a Thursday. It was surprisingly busy even at 5:30 - 6, which is always a good sign. We ordered edemame, pork pot stickers and snowball. I'm not a huge fan of tuna, but my friends loved the snowball. I had the shrimp tempura and sweet potato rolls (I'm kind of a boring sushi eater)... but I loved the sweet potato roll. It was one of the best that I've ever had. Our waitress was also very attentive and friendly. Great neighborhood place; glad I finally tried it!
(4)
Dave D.

Really good place for sushi, great for dates since its underground and just kind of a cool environment. Fresh fish and their boat menu items are perfect for groups. Not the most original sushi creations but they make up for it with decent prices and a super friendly staff. The owner is one of the nicest guys you'll meet. Used to be my favorite sushi place in the city before I found Sumo Sushi on Sheffield.
(4)
Valerie Z.

I love love love this place. Groupon first got us in the door but the food and service brought us back! This last time did not disappoint. Our server was so sweet and so great/accommodating! !! I feel horrible i don't remember her name but it was something like Camille?? I just know it started with a c and had 2 L's lol. We will most Def be back time and time again! I will suggest this place over all others! BYOB is great too :) advice though get a reservation if it's during prime dining hours.
(5)
Minal J.

I think I have had sushi all over the world, from Japan to California and all the way to New York. I do believe I have tried almost all the sushi places here in Chicago. By far, this is the best sushi place in Illinois. It's sushi is out of this world! Their presentation and their dedication is unreal. I can never get enough! I would recommend the sexy hot mama, whch is my favorite! The pink lady rolls are also yummy. All their sushi comes out picture perfect and absolutely delicious! I am hooked!
(5)
Benjamin D.

Too much mayo and ponzu sauces. I know that makes me a sushi snob but what can you do? It's also a tad dark and has a basement feel to its which isn't great. I do like the boats though! Nostalgia.
(2)
Jason S.

I've been here a few times. The service is always great. lately, when I go out for sushi, I've been ordering strictly sashimi (all fish no rice) because I want to taste the flavor of the fish and avoid refined grains. On my most recent visit on 1/29/15 I had the mixed sashimi platter, which is chef's choice of 20 pieces of sashimi. In the past, I've been skeptical to order chef's choice anything, but they hook it up nicely. The only downside is when the platter arrived they didn't explain what each piece is as they usually do, and I didn't feel like asking, but it was all good. I also ordered one piece each of the scallop, Alaskan King crab, and sea urchin sashimi. All were very good, but the only other time I've had sea urchin was at Ra Sushi and I think Ra had better sea urchin. If you've never had sea urchin before, it's one of the funkiest looking things on any sushi menu. The closest thing to its appearance that I can think of is cat vomit, so if you've got a thing about how things look, don't get the sea urchin. Me, I don't mind how it looks. If you come here, look for Groupons or other deals as they are usually available.
(4)
Kat G.

Nice atmosphere and friendly staff! Food was pretty good but maybe a little pricey. Not sure the tonkatsu combination I got was worth $22. Husband got the nabeyaki udon and was underwhelmed. Would come back again but try different things.
(4)
Brad N.

Walked in and they sat us by the back kitchen area. Asked to move somewhere better, told us that all the other seats were reserved when less than 35% of the restaurant was filled. Then moved us to a corner right next to another couple, hardly the privacy we would have liked. Then we sat there and listened to one of the workers personal agenda for the evening including picking up guys at a party later. My girlfriend and I got up and left, plus it feels like your eating in a basement. Very disappointed.
(1)
Katherine C.

Just went last night after purchasing the Groupon deal ($45). We ordered dynamite, dragon, fireball, and caterpillar at the waitress' recommendation. Although the sushi arrived super fast since it was 5 minutes before last order and an hour before closing, I feel like it was an okay experience. The food is forgettable and we didn't finish half of the dragon roll because we had gotten the "special spicy" version because the taste combination was strange to say the least. Our bill came to $60 ($22 for Groupon + $15 extra = $37 before tip) for two people and if it wasn't for the Groupon I would have taken a star off. I will not be returning and wouldn't recommend this place unless it was your last option in the area. The staff is friendly, but the food itself is mediocre. I would pass.
(3)
Melissa G.

Kyoto is by far my favorite sushi place in Chicago. The food is great and staff is really friendly and accommodating. - Try the Creamy roll & Crunch Salmon Maki - If you're not a big sushi person, try the Katy roll (no fish) - BYOB - It gets busy, so be sure to make a reservation (they open at 5pm, so you have to call after that) - Parking lot in back is convenient or an easy walk from Fullerton brown/red - The free cucumber appetizer is good If you haven't been, definitely try it out!
(5)
Roxana B.

Bought a groupon for this place. Loved their maki everything we had was delicious and it was BYOB. But becareful there is a $5 cork fee charge, and every table had a wine bottle! Had no problem getting in enjoyed a nice meal on a Friday night!
(3)
H G.

I gave Kyoto good reviews four years ago. After a few visits since, it's apparent that the quality has gone downhill. I've experienced tako yaki with hard (not even rubbery), shriveled octopus filling. All the maki rolls kept falling apart on one birthday dinner trip. The specials were far from special. The table spacing was tighter. The technique for the SPICY SNOWBALL had changed and it didn't seem to have that same pleasing effect. I just can't recommend this spot any more. I'm very late, but where the twins go, I go.
(2)
Benny C.

Heard about Kyoto Sushi on Groupon and after reading the positive reviews on Yelp, I decided to give this place a try. My girlfriend and I ordered the spicy tuna maki, ahi flatbread, spicy scallop maki, and shrimp tempura. Besides the spicy tuna maki, I felt like the other ones were lackluster, the flavors didn't really mix well with me. The service was on the slower side, took around 20 minutes for our food to arrive. I wasn't really a big fan of the seating either, felt too clustered in one area. Seriously, there was a child sitting right not to me. I would recommend this place for larger groups of people (4-6). Definitely too loud and clustered for a date night.
(2)
Chai-Ling C.

The entire experience was not satisfactory. We were seated by the sushi bar and we saw very clearly three of the sushi chefs were watching the NBA game on the wall-mounted TV screen the entire time. They weren't just taking a glance once in a while to check the scores, which I would have understood, but they were staring at the screen almost the entire time, pausing only briefly to glance at the sushi they were making. It feels unprofessional and rude. Our server was very friendly and nice, which is the only good experience. They were understaffed so my water was not filled until I asked. We ordered the Love Boat, which comes with three signature maki, and two starters. The food was good but nothing different than any other good sushi restaurant. With so many other choices, I don't think it's worth coming back here.
(2)
Adriana G.

We went there ( my daughter & I )on a Wednesday night for the first time . I didn't expect this place to be so busy , but it was . We loved it , nice atmosphere :) , hood service, the server was super friendly We order miso soup which it was extremely salty , I also didn't now like much the edamame, , the shrimp tempura was good . We also order Philadelphia roll with spicy mayo & spider the sushi was pretty good For dessert we order Green Tea icecream it was very good I totally recommend this place
(5)
Derrick P.

I rate the rolls 2 stars and add one star for Groupon. 3/4 of the roll was rice. Just a little of fish or shrimp. Very disappointed. Usually you have rice outside the roll. Not there. It was outside and inside. Thin shrimp slice and tempura. I don't understand how this place got such high rating. Got habit to be very careful when you pick the place which offer Groupon.
(3)
Michelle L.

Went in the other night and had the worst service ever. I normally love this place, but we had a server we had never see before. He had a nose ring and took twenty mins to come over to even greet us. Not only did he take forever to take our order, he forgot to bring us food and overall gave us horrible service. Really sad since we normally love this place.
(3)
Wilson H.

I've been here twice and the sushi is ok. I got a groupon here and decided to try it out. I got the love boat option for 55$ here and it included: Tako yaki which was squid inside some kind of flaky crust which tasted like it wasn't fresh, orange sunshine roll, Kyoto maki, snow ball roll, and a summer dragon roll. The Kyoto maki and summer dragon roll were my favorite out of the 4 the maki rolls are ok, but nothing too special to write about. The service is good and the atmosphere is nice also. It is kind of expensive for my taste as I can get AYCE for 18-22$ a person with a lot more appetizers and a lot more to choose from. They have street parking, and a parking lot for free in the back. Kyoto is an ok sushi place, but from the one appetizer I ate, I recommend not getting any hot dishes from here.
(3)
Andy K.

Don't come to this place if you want sushi at a reasonable price and don't have a Groupon. Even with a 50% off Groupon, this place will set a table of 3 back about $100 if you want to fill up a reasonable amount. The rolls are small so if you think the prices are low based on the menu, you should look again. Frankly, I expected the taste to be higher quality given the premium, but one of the rolls tasted like reconstituted salmon toothpaste... Not everything was bad though; their fireball maki was pretty decent but I don't think that itself is worth coming back for. Bottom line if you have traditionally enjoyed Sushi Para-style sushi buffets, you will be sorely disappointed by this sushi dining experience. The place was at 50% capacity but I would bet everyone there minus those on a date were using a Groupon. Do not go here without a Groupon.
(2)
Payal S.

Sushi was average but they had a lot of selection for vegetarians so was very happy about that! The paradise veggie was delicious and a nice change. Service was excellent though a little slow.
(3)
Nina F.

I'm not a big sushi lover but this place is great. The service staff were also really nice and BYOB makes for a perfect group dinner place!
(5)
Laura B.

This place is soo good. Went for my bf's birthday and shared the Love boat. It was huge and more than enough for the two of us. We enjoyed all of it. The boat was great for exploring different rolls than our normal ones. We bought another groupon as soon as we got home. Loved the atmosphere, definitely an intimate feel to it though the tables are very close together. It didn't bother us at all. Can't wait for my next dinner!
(5)
Jacqueline N.

Kyoto + Groupon = Bomb Dinner! We were jonesy-ing for some sushi and came around a Groupon for Kyoto and decided to try out some of their specialty rolls. It was nice to come on a weekday without a lot of people because it is quite a small establishment and seems understaffed. But the quality of sushi has been much better than other places I have tried. Let's get into the rolls! Dishes we ordered include: 1. Spicy Snowball Appetizer ($10): consisted of rice spheres topped with seared white tuna, spicy mayo, scallions, soaked in soy sauce and truffle oil. Surprising delicious start to this meal! Fish was partially cooked and the spices were very light, not extremely spicy so it was the perfect kick to make you go YUM! 2. Crunchy Salmon Roll ($10.50): had salmon, cucumber, spicy mayo topped with avocado, honey and crunch mix. The flavors of this roll was not as pronounced but the avocado was kind of mushed up like guacamole. It was decent but not the most outstanding roll because the flavors kind of blended together on the bland side.... it still provided a nice balance to the other more eccentric rolls. 3. Binion Roll ($14): is a realllly interesting roll! It is made of shrimp tempura, cream cheese (eh?), avocado, spicy mayo, wasabi mayo, unagi sauce and tobiko. I think that this was a bit spicy, super wasabi-y, BUT the cream cheese toned down this roll! I dont know how but it worked really well and tasted quite interesting/oddly delicious all together! 4. Creamy Roll ($17): Their infamous Creamy Roll! This roll had shrimp tempura, eel, sweet crab rolled in avocado topped with mayo/unagi sauce. I was expected greatness from this roll... but it came up a bit short because, yes it was creamy, and yes the flavors worked wonderfully together. I kind of expected more savory and overall substance in each bite. Avocado was just a hair overwhelming in each bite. But it was still a completely delightful roll and you definitely should try this Kyoto specialty when visiting! Our overall experience here was great, the ambiance was dimly lit and romantic. Perfect for date nights. Food was very good but not as "mindblowing" as it could have been (especially for their creamy roll). But still very good and worth a return! Parking was just *facepalm* frustrating.... BUT it wasn't until I got to the menu that I saw a little side note "Free Parking in Back"?? I will definitely take advantage of that for the next trip to Kyoto!!
(4)
Kristen S.

Kyoto had great service, sushi was delish, and the ambiance was pretty cool. It was crowded for a random week night, which is a great sign. They accommodated my gluten allegy quite easily and we had such a great time. Roll after roll after roll... :) Very happy. We will be back.
(4)
Elizabeth N.

LOVE Kyoto! I've probably been a dozen times in the past couple years, and it never fails to impress. Tonight I had David as my waiter -- in keeping with the other waiters I've had at Kyoto, he was extremely knowledgable about the menu. I was curious about trying the Sassy Kat salad and decided to try it, with David's recommendation. DELICIOUS! Between the price point, BYOB, and great staff, Kyoto is my go to sushi place in the city these days. I'm already looking forward to coming back!
(5)
Danielle C.

~Get your group on and Go!!! BYOB Incredible rolls. I loved the caterpillar, the Kyoto, the snowball, the miami.... don't play it safe here. Experiment. You will not regret.. I cannot wait to go back- again, and again, and again!!!!
(4)
Natalia K.

I'd come back for a couple of their rolls that I enjoyed here, but I won't be winning a race to get here. It was ok. The table arrangement is super awkward and when we arrived at a crowded restaurant, we were squished in between two couples. Doesn't leave much room for romance, but I guess they want to be able to fit in as many people as they can in a small space. Thing is, we were so cramped in with others that I wonder if the waitress thought we had already been served. She didn't take our order for a while and then we had to wait for a long time to get our food. But it was hard to distinguish the parties at the cafeteria-style seating in the middle. Fortunately for us, the couples on either side left soon after we sat down so we could have some breathing room. Our groupon allowed us $45 worth of food, and with the prices, that wasn't going to be hard to do. One of us ordered an oyster shooter as an app and didn't receive it until after we got our sushi, even though she saw it sitting out on the counter for some time. Weird. We ordered five rolls: creamy, kyoto, fiesta, dragon, and caterpillar. I'm a fan of anything with eel, shrimp tempura, cucumber, and avocado, so the dragon and caterpillar are usually two of my favorites and they were good here too. The creamy, was oh so creamy. We couldn't stop talking about how creamy it was. The contents of the roll are wrapped in avocado and nothing else. You are told to pick it up with your fingers, which is messy and squishy. It is delicious, absolutely, and this is the unique roll I would come back for, but it's a pretty rich roll to eat all by itself- so definitely order a ricey/seaweedy roll to eat along with it. The kyoto and fiesta rolls were just ok- nothing too special and the ends of the rolls weren't even filled, so for the price, that was disappointing. Overall, our dining experience was a-ok: the food was good, but nothing out of this world, the prices were a bit much, and the service was a bit lacking, but it was nothing to be upset about- the groupon and good company helped.
(3)
Gdhs R.

Love Sushi and love this place. Great atmosphere and service! Highly recommended and it's really a wonderful experience. I will be back!!
(5)
Hyungsup L.

Kyoto sushi is good place to go and enjoy sushi. It has great service. Since they have groupon deal, I tried at first. All the roll was great. BYOB is always good. I will definitely try one more time. And don't forget to try spicy snowball roll.
(4)
Sarah S.

I didn't even liked Sushi that much before trying this place, the notion of raw fish was kinda strange for me. But I really loved what I had in Kyoto. Try Jaja sake and their signature Sushi rolls:)
(5)
Kim L.

I thought the food here was good but the service was not. We were only 1 of about 5 tables when we placed our order and it took nearly 45 minutes. My friend ordered a meal that included Rice and Soup. They never brought her soup and when we asked for it the waitress just responded "Oh yeah I forgot. I mean... did you want it?" She was pretty rude and made us feel uncomfortable.
(2)
Elina S.

Okay, so I really wanted to love this place and truly thought I would, but it definitely disappointed on many levels. Considering there are many places in Chicago like Coast and Toro which offer both incredible sushi and fantastic service, I don't even know why I bother finding other sushi joints, well I know why, I never know if I might be pleasantly surprised. Well, Kyoto just didn't do it. From the moment we came in, the guy who greeted us had an attitude and was like "your whole party needs to be here before we can seat you." That's no problem, but his tone was. Then we got like the worst table in the house, literally in between two tables sitting right next to your neighbors. I get the place isn't huge and it was full but seriously space us out just a little. I mean it isn't supposed to be communal seating. I've never felt that tight at a place, so uncomfortable. When i asked for another table, that same guy was like "nope, sorry full house tonight." Well we had a reservation just like everyone else, and if we got there before a certain table, why couldn't we get that table? I don't understand that. The place doesn't have much charm, it didn't look super clean either and pretty dark inside. Now onto the food, it was all a okay. The creamy roll that everyone talks about was wayyy to creamy and I'm sorry for $17 it was definitely not worth it. The only fish it has was shrimp tempura which from what I recall shouldn't cost $17. I wouldn't get it again although it did look pretty. The hand rolls which looked great on yelp pics, were super small, lacking fish and flavor. I ate it in two small bites so they are definitely a rip off here. The spicy salmon roll was eh, definitely had better. My friends didn't like their tuna tataki either. The only roll I did enjoy was the crunchy salmon filled with salmon, crunchy stuff, honey, spicy mayo and it did say masago but our roll definitely didn't have any masago and was $10.50. So, overall food was just a okay, but the service was horrible. Like I said, the guy working there was not nice at all to our table. We had servers switch in between without any notice, she kinda just disappeared on us. The new girl messed up my friends sushi order. Here's what I didn't like, I get this place is byob, so yay, but no one ever told us there was a corkage fee of $5 per bottle. We opened up two bottles but could have easily had one and were charged $10 for that. They give you these yummy cucumbers in the beginning and my friend asked for some more, she said no problem. We were also charged an additional $4 for that little plate. A little heads up would have been nice. I don't mind that they charge for spicy mayo and eel sauce as many places do, but I was charged for avocado for one roll instead of cucumber, also without any indication. It's like ladies, speak up, give us a little heads up before the bill comes. So overall, the experience was disappointing not as much on food as it was on service. I will definitely not be back as there are many many other better places in Chicago. Sorry, Kyoto, won't even come back with a groupon.
(2)
Allison B.

I LOVE kyoto sushi! It is always fresh and delicious. The creamy roll (wrapped in avocado rather than rice) is my favorite. They are good with large groups and don't mind splitting checks. It's also nice that kyoto is BYOB. My friends and I go here at least once a month and there is usually a groupon or living social deal available. My favorite sushi place in Chicago by far!
(5)
Maya E.

The good: Food The bad: Ambiance The horror: Service It was a dark summer night in Chicago. We rode our bikes to Kyoto, I just bought the groupon on my iphone 5s gold. Me and my boyfriend were seated at the best seat in the house, a roomy booth in the corner. The restaurant was packed. The blue neon light set a romantic atmosphere. Or maybe it was my man. He was also wearing blue. It's byob and the crowd was very loud because of all the spirits. My boyfriend and I didn't drink because we are straight edge vegan. He ordered the steak teriyaki entree, pork gyoza potstickers, and I ordered two signature rolls. We had the pot stickers and they were very out-of-this-worldinary... the sauce was spicy. My boyfriend loves spicy so he ordered another one before we even finished out first! (LOL, we're trying to put on mass.) We sat for a while, empty plates in front of us. The table was cleared, and we asked for the check. The waitress said we still had potstickers coming. We asked to cancel them because we had already finished the main courses, and because we ordered the potstickers a long time ago. She was a little argumentative but eventually said okay. An additional five minutes later, she came back to the table, this time not with our check, but with the potstickers. They looked good. We tried to cancel our order previously, so there was a little back and forth banter. I thought the most awkward part of the meal was when the waitress snapped, "Fine, I'll pay for them" and literally snatched the potstickers away. But that was not the most awkward part!! The most awkward part of the night was when she returned with the check, she quickly walked past our table and threw the check down, without saying a word. SO passive aggressive! The pot stickers were taken off the check, so one star for that. My boyfriend was outraged and her attitude, and had a hard time sleeping that night because of it. I would probably not come back even though the food is so good. I am too personally offended.
(4)
C M.

A very cozy but nice place. Very good service and good sushi. I would recommend this place.
(4)
Emily S.

Service was really good. Food however, not so much. The ahi-poke portion was super small in relation to the price. The cucumber in the house salad was sour. The sushi was also eh. The creme brule dessert was surprisingly good, but weird that a Japanese restaurant offers that? Would not go back really wasn't impressed.
(2)
Brittany K.

One of my absolute favorite sushi places in the city. They always do their best to accommodate you without a reservation, although I would recommend making one. Their sushi is delicious and their service is great. They always are willing to make great recommendations for you and are open to any changes/substitutions or additions you want to make to your rolls. This is my go to sushi place and the fact that it is BYOB makes it even better!
(5)
Mad I.

First things first: best customer service ever! The major bummer: sushi is teeny tiny w/ barely any fish and very, very pricey. Didn't have a groupon(which it seems would ease the sticker shock). 1 app, 2 modest rolls& 1 simple maki, byob (1 btl wine) tab before tip:$56 YIKES The owner (I'm assuming) was so so nice! Held a table for us, didnt mind when we went to get wine (in fact told us where to go) & checked on us personally several times. I wanted to love the sushi but I did have a sneaking feeling that since it was the only place in the neighborhood not packed, there might be sub par sushi looming... The snowball roll everyone raved about is like $15 and each bite is..well about 1/4 to a 1/2 bite. Somewhat tasty, very slim sliver of white tuna. Miami (from chicagos best) is a decent fried roll, but no raw fish to justify that price Spicy tuna: meh... Not to fresh or yummie at all Kyoto roll: very underwhelming, no fish to be found, very pricey Yelpers I don't get it, maybe you haven't been around as much sushi to know that this place should really be skipped! Sorry Kyoto!! A++ for customer service, but the sushi is at the bottom of my list :(
(2)
Amy T.

This place has a really hipster and romantic feel to it. I think it melds in with the neighborhood. Though finding parking was a bit difficult, this was a pretty good experience. The service was friendly, yet confusing because the waitress who took the order was different from the one who served... and was also different from the one who gave us the tab. We were checked on by two different waiters/ waitress and got our water filled in no time :) The food was pretty good, though a lot of the items were overpriced (know how business roll.. the more expensive it is, the more frequent it is ordered by patrons). I tried the oyaku noodle dish (spelling?) which had crab meat (imitation...), mushrooms, and some other veggies in there. It was pretty good considering the soup was more like broth. What got me disgusted was the noodles since it melted in my mouth and left a powdery feeling. I was quite dismayed by that. I'm not sure if the soup and noodles were a good combination since it started to taste like soap. As for the tempura, this totally win my heart. It was dredged in oil (tissue paper) but was tasty with the sauce that complimented it. This place won't be good for people who care for the environment. I smelled some chemicals radiating from the one-use chopsticks while I ate. This was particularly displeasing. All in all, the service was awesome along with ambience. The tables were pretty close to each other so it can be pretty difficult to have a private conversation. I spent my night eavesdropping the neighboring table on their plans and calculating the tab. LOL.
(3)
Matthew L.

Kyoto is a really great sushi restaurant. The atmosphere is really good (I could do without the to at the bar). We got the traditional boat which was really great. The quality of the fish seemed to be top notch, but my wife wishes there was a little more prep put into the sushi (there was no sauce or wasabi dabbed between the fish and the rice), but that's not always a bad thing, so I don't hold it against them. We didn't have any of their specialty rolls, but we saw some delivered to other tables and they looked amazing. I really want to come back and try some of their specialty rolls. Recommended
(4)
Amy X.

Here because of Groupon. A friend of mine has a Groupon for Kyoto. It was my first time here. I was seated immediately but the waitress got quite awkward when I told her that I'll be waiting for my friends first. Before I start, I went there starving and I felt like I cant eat absolutely anything any moment. Anyways, we started to order. I remember I ordered two salmon by the piece, a tuna roll, and shrimp by the piece. The sushi was okay. Nothing stood out really. My friends ordered some rolls as well. It all came in a boat. But I didn't think it was necessary because we didn't really ordered that much to begin with. The rolls looked dull. Everything was simply... okay. Despite being really hungry, I wasn't too amazed by the sushi there. It was quite a good deal though, with the Groupon. So if you in the neighborhood and if you are craving for sushi, Kyoto is a safe bet. Oh! Although it was street parking, it wasn't hard to find a spot, always a plus.
(3)
Mustafa A.

Excellent sushi rolls and very good service. Love the byob that they have and the atmosphere there. Very friendly people. Definetly recommend it.
(5)
Aaron W.

It pains me to see some very bitter reviews on Kyoto; out of the many times I've been here, I've only had the best experience on every end of the spectrum. The place can get busy because it's popular and if people want personal space when eating, then I suggest they stay at home. In addition to staying at home, if you do not want noise in the busy restaurant you're eating at, then please make a sign in large letters, label it, "Restaurant" and hang it in your kitchen. Then, remain in your kitchen. Of course you can have the Kyoto experience if you do the above and are also capable of creating excellent sushi with your two hands. If not, then STFU or I'll PYIYFFJ. Well, there is carry-out too so maybe I'll just settle down now. So subtract the negative reviews and if you're going for dinner, make a reservation. One of the best experiences I had was actually early evening when the place was empty. If you have the chance to sit at the sushi bar without other patrons, do it. Talk to the chefs about what you like and they will just whip some magic up, easy peazy. Otherwise, all the roles are fantastic, I find the Kyoto Maki and find the Spicy Snowball (appetizer) to be freakishly good. If you do make it in there and it's busy and you must wait, I recommend bringing some wine. One of the managers was kind enough to open and pour us a glass of our wine while we waited to be seated. He also put it in an ice bucket as well. Good service is out there, people. Oh, and don't let the fact that it's in a basement discourage you, it's real nice inside.
(5)
Elyse K.

First off, I will preface that this restaurant is pretty small- it seems like if you were going for a date, this might be a decent place. However, I didn't go as a date. I went as part of a party of about 15 after we called numerous places and were assured ahead of time that Kyoto could easily handle a group of our size. They were not able to and they REALLY should limit the size of parties allowed, perhaps to ten guests maximum. To add to that, there were two other large parties (10+) that night. It was chaos. I understand that there was a lot going on, but service was slow, the sushi mediocre, the entrees mediocre- my asparagus beef rolls were very overcooked, and the volume in the restaurant was so loud that we could not have conversations easily. I can't say for sure that I would be willing to go back.
(2)
Brittany H.

Kyoto is a hidden gem for byob sushi in the area. It is literally sort of hidden, it's on fullerton but you have to look for it. I first came here for my girlfriend's birthday, and they have a semi-closed off section with a large table perfect for a big group. I was encouraged to try the 'snowball' which I am definitely glad I did. I have a semi-serious addition to truffle oil, which they put in a variety of their rolls. Truffle oil + sushi= sushi heaven. The ginger salad is also pretty big compared to other places, and definitely one of the best I've tried. The place isn't too big but doesn't feel overly crowded. The only downside is the corking fee, but when you're drinking a $5 bottle of wine like I usually am, you def can't complain.
(5)
Yasmin S.

I am in love with sushi and this place makes me love sushi even more. I came in with a Groupon with a couple of friends and we maxed out on about 6 different rolls. I would recommend the Dynamite Maki and the Crunch Salmon. You won't be upset.
(4)
Victoria S.

Great neighborhood spot!! With awesome Groupons! My husband and I love sitting at the sushi bar when we go and we always have to order the Spicy Crab Salad. Its Ah-MAZING!! crunch, spicy, seaweed. What else could you ask for? The avocado roll is great too, but we really enjoy all of them! The owner and staff are always so nice and its BYOB which is always awesome. Don't forget your reservations on Friday and Saturday's....it gets busy!
(5)
christina h.

I wish I could give this place zero stars. My husband and I walked in for dinner and even though we were seated right away, it took over 10 minutes before our waitress came over to our table. A couple had walked in shortly after us and the waitress stayed talking to them the whole time (she knew them apparently). We began with some edamame that were overcooked, soft and chewy. Next came out our shumai which were cold, 20min later came our miso soups, the only thing that we both enjoyed. I ordered 6 pieces of the salmon nigiri and hubby got a cooked roll (he said it was nothing special). I couldn't believe how old and smelly my salmon was. I've eaten the same dish at so many sushi restaurants and have never been served such old fish. Part of the skin was even still attached! I ended up sending my dish back and didn't want to eat anything else. Even though this place is byob, they do have a $5 corkage fee which they do not mention until you receive your bill. I was incredibly disappointed with not only the quality of fish but also our terrible service. The waitress knew she was ignoring us and even came over to apologize. If you are aware you are ignoring your customers you don't need to apologize, you need to correct it. And old fish gets people sick! Don't come here unless you want food poisoning.
(1)
Ateesh V.

Kitchen closes 45 mins before the said closing time. We live in downtown and drove all the way here on a cold winter night. Got there at 9:19 pm on a Sunday and we got the dreaded sorry kitchen closes 45 mins before closing. The advertised closing time on their website and the door is 10 pm. Nowhere did they mention the early kitchen closing time. Why don't these guys list the closing time as 9:15 or at least mention the early closing of the kitchen on their website or the door. We have pleasant memories of our trip to Kyoto, Japan but this place was a disgusting little hole in the wall. Do yourselves a favor and visit toro sushi in Lincoln park. Avoid Kyoto Sushi at all costs, another reviewer mentioned getting the flu after eating here. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!
(1)
Heather R.

My boyfriend and I found this place while both craving sushi and wanting to watch the Blackhawks game. Generally I dislike restaurants that have televisions, but here there was only one large TV at the bar, and it was muted, so it was just enough to catch some of the game without it being overly distracting/obnoxious. The service was great and the restaurant decor was cute. We went on a Tuesday night, so it wasn't packed, which was nice. I've heard that on the weekends it gets a little crazy though. The maki was awesome - we ordered the shrimp tempura maki, the dragon roll and the Creamy roll. The shrimp tempura and Dragon were great, but I absolutely loved the Creamy roll. If you don't like avocado, this isn't for you, but for those that do - definitely try this. I've never seen any place offer this style of maki. Rather than wrapping it in seaweed, it is wrapped in avocado. It just melts in your mouth and is extremely flavorful. I was a little worried that it would be really heavy/filling, but it wasn't at all. I would absolutely get this again when I go back. While the food and service would warrant 5 stars, I'm giving it 4 because it was a little pricey (the Creamy roll is $17 - which seems a little overpriced, but I'd admittedly order it again). If I could give the place 4.5 stars, I would.
(4)
Bea K.

I love going to Kyoto for sushi! They're signature rolls are fantastic - worth the price! They're regular rolls aren't that great, which is why I subtracted a star because I think that even though it's not a signature dish it should still taste good but I'll never make that mistake again. If you only order the signature rolls then you're golden and you'd probably give this place 5 stars but I really like my spider roll and it's a shame I can't order it here. Also, I really think for the price of the sushi, miso & edamame should be included with your meal and not extra.
(4)
Rittwika R.

We have been eating a lot of sushi lately and so we took a chance when we across a groupon for this place.I was blown away. Their sushi is very innovative .We tried the chef's choice party roll and the creamy..Both were fabulous.Service was swift and friendly . I am going to be a regular here groupon or not. Still I bought 2 groupons even before leaving the establishment
(5)
Diana G.

My friend and I came when they just opened and were the first ones there. It took us a while to check out the menu. I was really excited to try the Unagi Tempura. So, we tried to place our appetizers of Unagi Tempura, Agedashi Tofu and Yaki Tori. Then she tells us they have a issue with the kitchen and they can't make the tempura or the yaki tori. Ummmm.....ok. Some of the rolls we wanted to order had shrimp tempura or fried stuff and we asked if those were ok and she had to go ask. So, we settled on Agedashi Tofu, Kaki Fried (oysters) and Pork Gyozas. We then order 1 piece tobiko, Shrimp Tempura Roll, Spider Roll, Unagi Roll and Tonkatsu Entree. The Kaki Fried and Pork Gyozas came and both were fine. I guess she didn't hear us about the tofu since we never received it. We were thinking it's weird that you can fry some stuff and not others....oh well. We did hear one waitress tell (I'm guessing the owner/manager) they had no tempura....that's not a good sign if you guys just opened and don't have one of the most popular item on the menu. Then the sushi arrived and they were ok. Weren't bad, but nothing stood out. We were starting to get full by the time the Tonkatsu came. I tried the Tonkatsu and it was fried nicely, but I didn't really care for the dipping sauce. Overall, wasn't too impressed with the overpriced food or service. Go elsewhere!
(2)
Carolina D.

Food is always delicious, they have some unique rolls that are delicious. We tried a few, but the Creamy was the most memorable. Wrapped in avocado, practically no rice! It just melts in your mouth; hence the name "Creamy". Definitely recommend that one. The part that left us underwhelmed was the service. The hostess/server saw us come in and just turned back to continue her chit chat with another staff member even though we were about 4 feet from them. Once she finished her conversation, she took us to a table and on our way tells us we need to hurry up and order or they will close the kitchen on us (granted we arrived 45 mins. before closing time). She later tells us they like to close the kitchen early because "[we] want to get out of here by 11. My only question to Kyoto is: WHY NOT POST KITCHEN HOURS INSTEAD OF BUSINESS HOURS? We were rushed out of there before a table that was there before us left. The waitress put on her sweater and was ready to go before we even got up from the table...
(3)
Olga C.

Second time I tried in this place. I went there with my friend this place is amazing and cozy. I'm really recommended this place the food is fresh. We try the shrimp and veggie tempura. I'm I'm asked..Miso soup very tasty...Tuna maky ..salmon rolls..5 stars...service its great..and i love Byob... Price for the corkage fee is not expensive.
(5)
Amy G.

Asked for chef's choice (based on our favorite types of fish) and we were satisfied beyond our wildest expectations! Our cordial waitress, Iris, was fantastic in relaying our wants and explaining each dish with a true purpose. Our chef, Victor, took the time to create authentic and mind-blowing dishes. Definitely come here! Best sushi experience in a while!
(5)
Victoria J.

Wonderful place. Highly recommend. Small place so if u have a big group you should make a reservation.
(5)
Lori Taylor R.

My dreams were shattered at age 11 when I visited what had previously been, one of my very favorite restaurants. My loving feelings toward the Chuck E. Cheese had completely dissipated. I was simply over it. I began to realize, I was just too old to enjoy it any longer. Unfortunately, this holds true again at age 31 with Kyoto Sushi. I once, thoroughly enjoyed what I recalled, as a quaint and friendly sushi spot, but no longer. Last night my lovely friend offered to take me out to dinner. She made a reservation for us at 7:30 on Friday. We arrived and were seated right away. The tables were much closer together than I had previously recalled, but maybe I had simply overlooked this in the past. The sever moved the table over, so my friend could take her seat in the booth. We tried to get situated, but we had no room to put our coats or purses. The two top is already very crowded without any food. Our wine was immediately opened, which helped ease the feelings of claustrophobia. Our server was very anxious to have us place our order, so we did. The Snowball and Creamy were both extremely delicious and completely met my previous expectations. The other rolls, Spicy Tuna and Unakyu Maki were less than exciting. They both reminded me of sushi I would make at home. As we continue to make our way through our meal a table of 5 men was seated next to us. The guy sitting closest to me was literally touching my arm with his. He was sitting closer to me than my husband sits when we go out to eat, awkward! The table of two sitting on the opposite side of us offered for us to scoot our table against theirs to give us more room. I think the guys had the right idea and ended up leaving not soon after they were seated. The restaurant quickly sat a group of 4 in the now vacant table. The new table of 4 broke out their water bottle filled with some sort of alcohol and that's when the shots began. Oh wow, the restaurant has now turned into ... the bar? The table is now on their fourth shot, before they've even finished their Edamame. We decided it is time to get our check and finished our last few bites of sushi. Our water glasses now empty, wine bottle empty our check was delivered. We quickly gave the server the card and we waited, and waited, and waited. It's funny; because the entire time we were dining we were rushed. Now, we want to leave and can't! The once quaint and delicious sushi restaurant I remembered has now become an overcrowded, BYOB hangout that merely serves food. I guess all good things must come to an end.
(2)
Jieqiong C.

It's not a good place to go with friends. It's noisy because there are so many consumers here. The food is fine. I like crunch salmon rool.
(3)
Selena G.

I was REALLY excited to try this place, because it had good reviews on Google and it was right by SpaceTime Tanks. Unfortunately the food was very mediocre. The only thing that saved them was the wonderful service from the waitress, who got a very generous tip for her amazing service. Maybe it was an off night for the chef. Not sure if I'll return.
(1)
Jet L.

Used the group on- Read the yelp reviews so I was hoping this place would be a new sushi place to frequent....... nope. You can do better!
(2)
Amoli P.

I had been to Kyoto months ago and had a wonderful experience. Sadly, last night's experience was not at the same level of quality or taste. The nice thing about Kyoto is that they are always offering Groupon deals and it's nice to switch up our sushi rotation. We started with the spicy snowball appetizer and it was delicious heaven, just as it was before. A delicate torched taste that blends perfectly with the dash of truffle oil and eel sauce. My only complaint is that we always just get one order and regret not getting 2 orders later on. Unfortunately, this is where the enjoyment stopped. We ordered 3 rolls - Creamy, Crunchy Salmon, and Fiesta. The rolls were completely different from the last time I was at Kyoto. The tuna and salmon were mushy and did not taste fresh at all. The rolls were cut into huge bites and assembled a bit sloppy. And the flavors were not crisp or sharp, everything tasted old and mashed together. The Crunch Salmon roll was probably the best of the 3. Mostly because the tempura flakes helped to hide the overall mushiness of the rest of the ingredients. The Fiesta roll had tuna that had the consistency of grape jam and the Creamy roll was wrapped in avocado so old and mushy that we couldn't even pick up the pieces with chopsticks. It was a very disappointing visit. I'm not ready to write Kyoto off yet, because as I said, my first visit was delicious. However, I will tread cautiously next time and only with a Groupon. I'm not sure if last night was an off-night or the norm, but it will take a third visit to break the tie. Other notable items: The restaurant is BYOB, so be sure to bring your favorite beverage. The atmosphere is a nice underground vibe, relaxed and dim. The service is good and friendly, but the place was quite packed last night and they seemed to only have 1 or 2 servers working, so we waited quite a bit for everything. Parking is easy to get right on the street outside.
(2)
Travis D.

Kyoto breathes life back into Chicago's dead customer service. I ordered a few sushi rolls at Kyoto for take-out and the waiter offered to deliver the order to my car so I didn't have to pay for parking.
(5)
John L.

Wow. Great place all around. Price- Little on the higher side, but its for good stuff Quality- Great. There was one that had this truffle oil- amazing! Also the asparagus wrapped in a teriyaki beef thing was fantastic. Quantity- You can fill up from here Atmosphere- it's underground so you would have a preconception, but when you go through the doors its a very vibrant place Staff- Very very helpful and personable
(5)
Kristen H.

Kyoto is a solid spot and when there's a groupon offer it's even that much sweeter!! I always enjoy the everything we order. Tonight to change it up, we tried the Eight Ball and it was a good switch from our usual Snow Ball appetizer. Both are very similar and have great flavor profiles. Another staple is the spicy boat - OMG what a great selection of rolls and hits the jackpot for spicy! One of my ultimate favorite rolls here is the SPICY TUNA TATAKI MAKI. For some reason the seared tuna makes each bite of this roll absolutely delightful. Thanks Kyoto for always being a great pick for BYOB sushi. I heart you!
(5)
Heath S.

Great service. Had a reservation and was seated immediately ahead of those that walked in. The food was excellent and had a great menu to choose from. BYOB. Will definitely be going back.
(5)
Kate S.

I've always been wary of sushi places, having both shellfish and soy allergies (I know, I'm lucky). But I was blown away by Kyoto. Like, grabby hands "I WANNA GO BACK" love. We walked in at 6:00p on a Saturday with a party of 6, and were seated immediately. There was a slight snag, as we were told that a table was available, but we would have to be finished by 8:00p. We were totally cool with it, but made a note to have a reservation next time. It was very gracious of them to accommodate us. I mentioned my allergies to the manager and waitstaff, and was assured that I would be completely safe. They even told me their process they use for allergic patrons, which I appreciated. Our group ordered 2 spicy snowballs and an eight ball from the starter menu. There were 8 or 9 pieces of sushi on each plate. And it was BANANAS. The sushi itself was absolutely delicious. The fish tasted like ocean, and wasn't fishy at all. There was a little heat, but it was a subtle heat that lingered instead of lopping your head off with pain. Our entire group was full after only 3 plates of sushi. It doesn't hurt that we got a stellar Groupon ($20 for $40 worth), either. It's worth noting that Kyoto is BYOB with a $5 corkage fee per bottle. It was a little loud at times, and I was surprised to see television screens playing football, but they didn't detract from my experience. Overall, I loved Kyoto and want to go back as soon as humanly possible. Finding an allergy-friendly sushi place can be like pulling teeth, but Kyoto was helpful with my questions and fears. And be sure to call ahead for reservations.
(5)
Victor C.

This is definitely one of my favorite sushi spots in the city. I have been here a handful of times and I have yet to be disappointed. I first found this spot looking for a restaurant that offered gluten free options for my fiance and surprisingly the waitstaff are always great about answering any allergen questions we have. We tend to find groupons for Kyoto often which is a plus. Im not much of a drinker but the byob option is awesome. Although this place is small I always get seated quickly but usually I call for reservations at least an hour ahead. There is parking in the back which is super convenient for the area it is located in. The Japanese Fried Rice is my go to dish and the ACC Maki Rolls to start.
(5)
Jim S.

I'll give them high marks for atmosphere, and the tempura fried unagi was itself worth four stars, but the mediocre to flavorless rolls and the absolutely unheard of corkage fee...at a BYOB place...for a couple bottles of beer drop it down to nearly 1. My god, I can understand corkage fees if you've got a full bar and someone shows up with a bottle of wine, but don't try to tell me it's common for BYOB restaurants to charge people for bringing their own B! I love BYOB places. Don't try to gouge me, and when caught out, don't play coy.
(2)
David R.

We got the creamy roll (which was indeed, creamy) and the fire maki (which was not at all fiery). Honestly, just mediocre, over-priced sushi. I used a groupon so I didn't leave feeling cheated, but I wasn't overjoyed. The service was fine. The people were nice. It just...eh...just wasn't there.
(2)
Marilynn L.

The place itself has a hip feel to it. I felt like I was in for some good grubbin' when I walked in. Dimly lit and the location is very nice. The hostess was polite enough and sat us down. Our waitress was quite impersonal because she never even told us her name. Oh, and if you like your elbow room, which I do, you may not like the seating arrangement. We were ultra close to a couple on a date and it was a bit uncomfortable. Looking at the menu, I felt the selection was a bit shallow. I'm a big sushi fan and they had the same sushi over and over again but just named (and priced) differently. I gave it a shot anywho. We ordered the Pork Gyoza which was pretty good especially with the sauce on the side. We also had the Crunch salmon maki (not enough crunchy), New York maki (very plain and the soy sauce added the taste), Shrimp tempura maki (this was the one that was pretty tasty - just crunchy enough) and Yaki soba (a few noodles on a plate, add some veggies - that's all). I feel somewhat bad for giving this only 2/5 stars but the main star of a SUSHI restaurant should be the sushi - not the decor.
(2)
Brandon T.

Came here with a friend of mine last night. Tried a few different roles, and some sashimi pieces (super white tuna, snapper, etc.) Several of the sushi roles had odd things in them such as green peppers, and lettuce? Also the sashimi is more expensive than extremely nice places i've been in NYC, or anywhere in the city for that matter.. I received a text at 5AM this morning that she has now become violently ill, and is having me come over to take her to urgent care as she hasn't stopped being sick for 7 hours. You would think at $4/piece for sashimi the fish would be extremely fresh? Turns out its not. If you are looking for a sushi place, there are plenty in Chicago that won't make you sick.
(1)
Natasha F.

Definitely a notch above your typical mid-range neighborhood sushi spot. I was initially saddened by the seemingly itty-bitty size of the nigiri, but then the freshness of the fish reminded me that quality trumps quantity, especially when it comes to raw fish. They offer a discount if you have tickets that evening at a nearby theater, including the top-notch Victory Gardens. Be sure to ask your server.
(4)
Heidi R.

Solid sushi place, minus the SLOW service and long wait for the food. Great location, byob and very yummy sushi rolls! The creamy sushi roll, although expensive is worth every penny. The other rolls were pretty good too - spicy shrimp, spicy tuna, california and one of my all time favorite rolls - the sweet potato! So good. My gripe is the slow service, we actually had to ask when our edimame would be ready. Which is weird because that should take minutes to serve. Owell, the food is so good I will def be back!
(4)
Jamie H.

The sushi was just fine, really nothing special but the place was packed. My friend had been trying to make a reservation for 7 at 7 on Friday all day, he left a message and it wasn't until 630 that they called and told him they could squeeze us in. The waitress had told my friend that we needed to leave by 830 so they could have the room for another reservation, fine, no big deal. Service was pretty terrible. She didn't take any orders when people first started arriving, I had to ask multiple times for a wine glass and when she dropped our food off, she said "any last call for food orders?" Uhhhh, we just got our food how are we supposed to know? So, my friend ordered two more rolls and turn turned around to see if anybody else wanted anything...and the waitress just took off. Uhhh, OK? When she came back we tried to order some more food, and very rudely said "Um, well I know I told your friend that you had to leave at 830...." Luckily another friend said he did not appreciate the way she was talking to us and that we were doing them a favor by coming in as we would have just taken our business elsewhere, and he asked to speak to the manager. He spoke with the manager and we were able to get a few more orders of food and were out shortly after, all we wanted was a little more food.
(2)
Melanie S.

Kyoto Sushi is yet another restaurant I've drive or walked past countless times and never really noticed it. We were looking for a spot to have dinner before catching a play at the nearby Victory Gardens Theater and once I checked out the menu and reviews, it seemed like the ideal spot. We arrived early (around 6:00) and were shown to a quiet table in the back. The decor is sophisticated and wasn't what I expected. It definitely has an upscale feel to it. What I found odd was the old gay club music (think Berlin circa '95) they were playing in the background. It wasn't conducive to the warm atmosphere. We ordered a ton of stuff to start before we decided what sushi to wanted: goma-ae, vegetable gyoza, ahi tuna poke and beef asparagus rolls. Everything was really good, but the ahi tuna poke was the star. This is always one of my favorites. I love the combination of tuna, sesame and chile oil. It wasn't a huge portion for the price, but I may just be saying that because it was good that I wanted more. The goma-ae (spinach with sesame sauce) tasted good, but the sauce was a very unappetizing shade of green-brown. Once I got past the color though, I devoured it. The gyoza were nice and crispy but the beef asparagus rolls were only so-so. The asparagus was overcooked and the sauce was gloopy and way too sweet. We moved on to maki and ordered a vegetable maki (avocado/asparagus/cucumber) a spider maki, spicy tuna, and a crazy maki. They were nice enough to omit the mayo in the veg maki ( I hate mayo) and it was delicious, as were all of the other rolls. It's a solid spot for sushi and other Japanese cuisine. I would definitely return.
(4)
Adam H.

'Woohoo' is right, Yelp. We had a group of 16. Yes, 16 human people. Kyoto is a tight fit to begin with, but we wedged in and they completely accomodated us. While we waited they chilled our bottles of wine (BYOB) which was nice, then seated us at a long table where we received cucumber salads and our opened wine in ice buckets. When the time came, we ordered a lot of sushi (literally, very much) and it came at a leisurely pace which was a nice way to stagger our sampling. I can safely say that everything I ate was delicious. My only problem is that we all ordered something, then shared, so I have no idea what exactly I ate off the menu. I'm already making plans to revisit to keep track of what I eat. I can recommend the spicy roll boat because a. It tasted good (the food, not the boat) and b. the presentation is very surprising for newbies. I was a newbie. To mention again, Kyoto is BYOB so be sure to equip yourself properly. I did have to venture out into the urban jungle to hunt for more wine, not that we were ill-prepared, I just forgot how much I like to drink. I also don't believe there is a corkage fee which is awesome. Go with a group or in a pair, it doesn't really matter, go by yourself if you want, just make sure you visit and bring an apetite...and booze.
(5)
Kris L.

Great sushi, good service, reasonably priced! The apps were amazing! I rec Spicy Snowball and Flaming Dynamite! The spicy snowball was rice with yellowtail and some sauce...it was extremely flavorful and not actually spicy. The Flaming dynamite is shrimp and scallops in spicy sauce that comes lit on fire :) The specialty sushi rolls are chock full of different fish/veggies/condiments! Loved the Orange Sunshine, Crazy roll, and Kyoto roll! Will definitely be returning to Kyoto Sushi. ***make a reservations-this place is getting crazy crowded with the groupons.
(4)
Christoph B.

You suck, Canada! Why did you ave to go and denounce the Kyoto Protocol on climate change? Back on topic, this sushi joint offers up a solid (if somewhat expensive) menu of sushi to Lincoln Parkers. I tried the creamy, the spicy tuna, and the avocado rolls. Heck, I even ordered the namesake Kyoto! All were good. But all I could think of while dining at Kyoto was about the weird building I was in. The restaurant is in the basement of one of the oddest structures in the city. It's like an apartment complex resembling a cruise ship with tennis courts on deck. Super duper 80's. I want to know what drugs the architects were on when they designed this place! The acoustics in here are pretty loud. I had to shout at my dining partners for most of the evening. Overall I liked the food very much. The prices, not so much.
(3)
Marissa G.

Nice, darkly-lit, low key feel, free parking, some interesting things on the menu, a little expensive, BYOB. Liked the atmosphere, it was on the garden level of a strangely shaped mall on Lincoln Ave. Good number of seats at the sushi bar, and ample number of booths. Quiet too. They also have a small alcove area that could seat about 8 in the back, great for families with kids or small parties. The best thing on the menu: the Unagi Tempura -- don't miss it. Basically a Japanese version of jalapeno poppers with cream cheese, unagi and unagi sauce. Pretty brilliant, pretty tasty. At $10.50 it was a bit pricey for 6 pieces, but the taste and originality made it worth the money and the trip to Kyoto. We ordered a mixed sashimi platter-- it was nearly 22 pieces of fish, pretty good for $23, good mix of fish, but in the end, only the white tuna was really fresh and tasty, the other slices were just okay. Ended with red bean mochi (they seem to stock a very good brand, not overly frozen, sweet but not too sweet). Total bill was $45. I might go back to try some of their cooked dishes or interesting rolls since I was so impressed with the appetizer, but not for the raw fish.
(3)
Minh D.

Cute little Japanese restaurant by century mall. There is parking in the back of the restaurant, kind of tricky to get to the parking lot. You will have to drive through the alley under the train tracks to get the the parking lot behind the restaurant. The sushi is always good and fresh here. Rice is nicely packed and the fish slice is the right thickness. Very nice and private ambiance. Excellent and genuine people working here.
(4)
Madhur T.

We got there at 9:20 and were told that the kitchen was closed. This was somewhat annoying since the restaurant hours say 10 (on Sundays) and I was told 9:30 on the phone! I must say that I have been here before and the food is actually good, but I wish they were clearer about the timings.
(2)
Anita M.

I am in Love with this place! Tucked away this unique looking almost underground shopping mall, is a true gem. I came here mainly due to the good reviews by fellow yelpers and the fact it is BYOB! Three friends and I got down and dirty with the spicy boat, some edamame and good ol bottles of Pinot. The place offers gluten free options which is a huge plus as my old roomie had a gluten allergy. We were estimated and hour wait due to our half regular and half gluten free boat and to our surprise we got it at a fraction of the time! Great service and even greater food! I cannot wait to come back!
(4)
Liz V.

My boyfriend and I came here for the first time on our anniversary, and we've been in love with it ever since! First off, the service at Kyoto is amazing. They let you leave a voicemail to make a reservation and call you back to confirm - so easy! And while they are very busy on the weekends, we've never had to wait too long for food to be served. While the prices are a bit steep, they typically have Groupon deals which keeps us coming back. I would describe Kyoto as on the higher side of mid-range sushi. The quality of the fish is always good, and the variety of rolls is great. Some of the deliciously unique rolls are: - Creamy: yes, expensive, but worth trying! Instead of seaweed, the rolls are wrapped with avocado. Yum. - Spicy Tuna Tataki & Snowball - both seared with a blow torch, which adds a nice twist to raw fish. - Party Roll: like a Miami (deep fried) but tastier - not my fav, but a winner with the bf. You also can't go wrong with the Rainbow, Caterpillar, Crunchy Salmon, or the Love boat!
(4)
Nicole S.

I've been here several times and have had excellent service and sushi each time! We got the private room that fits about 10 people for my friends birthday dinner - highly recommend if you have around that many people, it's nice and private! I've gotten the love boat and loved every roll on there - I usually can't handle spicy rolls at all but I could actually enjoy these because they weren't covered in spicy mayo! One time when I was eating at the sushi bars, the sushi chef gave us each a free piece of creamy make - to die for. Service is so wonderful... it's perfect for a group or a date night!
(5)
David D.

We had a great experience here. We got a groupon and decided to sit at the sushi bar for a weekday date night. We went with several Yelp recommended rolls and some others that the server recommended. We will go back, hopefully with another groupon. I may make it a 5-star if we have another good experience!
(4)
Theresa F.

If you like mushy sushi, go here. Twas not even worth my Groupon bucks. It was pretty packed on the Friday night that we went...not really sure why. You would think that crappy sushi would mean cheaper prices - guess again. This is definitely your college campus style sushi joint - complete with jocks slamming their Sapporo beers in the back.
(2)
Christina G.

My husband and I tried this place out last Saturday night. We had reservations for 7:30, and I'm glad we made them. When we got there, the place was packed. The food was delicious, and the only thing that made me knock a star off my review was the extremely crowded dining area. We were sat at a table that was less than 6 inches from 2 other tables. It was hard to hear one another as it was quite loud in the restaurant. Other than that, everything was great. We started off with the spicy snowball and really enjoyed it. If you want an interesting combination, try the orange sunrise. It has a bit of orange on top, which made for an interesting taste. They are currently running a promotion where you can buy a $50 gift card for $25. Good deal.
(4)
Deborah E.

Okay, Kyoto - you have us hook, line and sinker. Thanks to my addiction to all things Groupon (someone please call Betty Ford asap), my beloved and I waltzed into Kyoto recently and proceeded to have one fabulous meal. Keep in mind I am a sushi novice. I have only had it about four times in my life and each and every time I go I am so intimidated about what to order, how to order, how much to order. Well, we sat at the sushi bar where one of the busy twin sushi chefs, Carlo, promptly treated us like queens and the rest is history. "What can I get you?" Carlo said. "Well, my beloved will eat anything," I said, " and I will eat almost anything except quail eggs and eel. Yuck." So, we gave him our choices which amazingly matched HIS recommendations. "I'll fix you up - don't worry." Ahh, nothing like being taken care of by a superb Sushi Chef. Kyoto specialties - AMAZING: Spicy Snowball - rice spheres topped with super white tuna and a truffle, scallion and soy sauce. Eightball - another tasty tuna maki that was so flavorful that no sauces were needed. Ahi Flatbread - a spicy flatbread topped with small pieces of ahi tuna and mango with some tantalizing sauces (which I cannot recall). And then came the piece de resistance - the Creamy Maki = shrimp tempura, UNAGI, sweet crab, masago, mayo, rolled completely in avocado & topped with tempura crunch and UNAGI sauce. EPIC! Note emphasis of UNAGI - which is fresh water eel. Yikes! Carlo, you GOT me! Embarrassing newbie sushi-eating moment of the night: as the nine pieces of Creamy Maki were huge (see photo), I bit one in half and suddenly the other twinnie sushi chef said nicely, "they are meant to be eaten whole!" Thanks, Melvin! Even though we were so full, the Ginger creme brulee sounded too good to ignore - and we were correct. Order one - do not miss it! BYOB, free parking in the back, welcoming staff, cozy environment filled with regular customers and scrumptious sushi = Deborah Debutante and M. Lynn Vanderbilt will be back!
(5)
Regina D.

I came here a while back. I had Great sushi and one of the BEST delicious ginger salads I've ever tasted. I can't wait to come back. Highly recommend.
(5)
Joyee L.

I really don't understand what all the buzz is about. When I went to eat, I got: -inattentive service -blatantly imitation crab meat -dry, wilted cabbage -bland, overcooked edamame Considering how much I paid, it was unacceptable. To be honest, the combination platter was the most disappointing thing I've seen at a Japanese restaurant. I've gotten food way better at half the price point. I won't be back.
(1)
Ashley P.

Short and sweet review: -Ask for Will to be your server. -Eat the snowballs and summer roll. -Rinse. Repeat.
(3)
David R.

BYOB has to be the first thing noted. This is my sushi spot in Chicago. I would do UNSPEAKABLE things for their creamy roll. Keep an eye out for Groupons, cause with one this is the best sushi deal in the ole US of A. Worth making a reservation, but not completely necessary. To summarize, BYOB & creamy roll.
(5)
Colin M.

Good sushi and love that it's BYOB. Can get crowded, so I'd recommend a reservation - especially on the weekends. And, can often find a groupon - which makes it very reasonably priced.
(4)
Tim H.

My favorite sushi place in Chicago. The only thing I specifically order here is the snowball. All the other things I eat I leave up to the sushi chefs to just send out. BYOB, free parking in back, friendly and quick service, reasonable prices. This is as good as sushi gets!
(5)
Diane H.

Big fan of sushi, big fan of BYOB, put them together and you have a winner in my book. I have come to Kyoto a few times (mostly for birthday celebrations) and have always had a great time and great food. The first time I came here I almost missed it as it is tucked downstairs and not surrounded by too much else. There is plenty of seating, but it gets busy on weekend nights so a reservation is recommended. I have had a variety of rolls on the menu and all have been great. If you are in a group that likes to share, I recommend getting a boat so that you have lots of variety, and who doesn't love a sushi boat? This is a such a gem and a default when friends are looking for recommendations.
(4)
Nektaria R.

Breathtaking! Kyoto was breathtaking. Like the baby from the episode with Elaine.... I love sushi and I do not consider myself picky. I just expect fresh fish, innovative combinations and a server that knows what's good and what isn't. Kyoto really didn't impress me in any of these categories. The fish was decent but wasn't like a puff of fresh air (which is how I like to describe fresh sushi). The rolls were OK, some were better than others. The Dynamite Maki wasn't the best I've had and neither was the Unakyu Maki, something was off. The Sweet Potato Tempura Maki was OK. The entrees that we shared were the Shrimp Tempura Dinner which was average fare. The Salmon Teriyaki wasn't up to par, it tasted like Sam's Club frozen fish. The Shrimp Fried Rice was average. The Spicy Tuna Maki was pretty good and so was the Dynamite Nigiri. OK, so maybe we had too much food on the table at once, we were really hungry so that would mean that the food should taste phenomenal; which it didn't so, we'll see. I really do like the decor and the music which wasn't too loud and conversation was at a nice medium level. Our server wasn't very knowledgeable though and she did forget a few items and we had to request water, silverware, my spicy scallop! not sure, it may have been an off night for her since I can't blame it on the place being busy since there weren't, then again, I really didn't notice how many servers were working that night... oh well, benefit of the doubt, she was nice although her idea of jokes were falling flat, real flat. Not sure if I'll visit again unless I'm visiting the Space Age Tanks next door.
(3)
Jane S.

This was one of the first sushi places I went to and although my boyfriend raved about it, I was not impressed. The atmosphere was good and the fact that it's BYOB is a plus. Our server was nice and attentive and even suggested some rolls for us to try, but the sushi itself was just OK. I literally cannot even tell you which rolls I had as they were completely unmemorable!! Due to us having a groupon for this place we will be going back, and I will update the review if I think the sushi is better the second time around.
(3)
Nancy H.

The sushi chefs here are very talented and creative! You won't ever have a meal like this anywhere because Kyoto mixes authentic Japanese dishes with Americanized sushi and some that you just haven't seen anywhere else. Some of my favorite items from the menu: 1) "Dynamite Appetizer" = baked oyster shell filled with baby scallops, shrimp, spicy mayo, and masago 2) "Snowball" = super white tuna nigiri shaped as a ball and topped with uni (sea urchin) 3) salmon belly nigiri (it's SO soft) 4) "Gracie's cocktail" = warm soba noodles w/chili paste in a martini glass w/scallops, shrimp, veggies, and mayo drizzle 5) "Creamy maki" = shrimp tempura rolled with thin sheets of avocado (instead of seaweed) Not sure if these items are regularly on the menu, but I've also had these at Kyoto and loved them: 1) deep fried eel stuffed with jalapeno & cream cheese (like a jalapeno popper!) 2) ginger infused creme brulee The staff is friendly, the restaurant is cozy, there's a free parking lot in the back, and it's BYOB, so go!
(5)
Chris W.

Low quality fish to make up for the loss in BYOB sales. If your stomach can handle White Castle than you'll be good
(1)
Molly H.

This is a great spot! My boyfriend and I went for dinner last night after finding the Groupon, and we had a delicious dinner! Earlier reviews mentioned that it has a sketchy, basement-style entrance, but it's totally fine...just a few steps downstairs and it opens up into the restaurant which is clean and nicely decorated. Nice ambiance, but I can imagine it gets kind of loud and crowded later in the night...if you don't have a reservation (which they do take), I'd recommend going on the early side (we showed up around 5:45 PM and were seated immediately). The tables are pretty close together. It's BYOB with a $5 corkage fee, which is a plus for sure, and they gave us a tasty cucumber/vinaigrette salad as a complimentary appetizer. We got a variety of maki rolls including spicy tuna, Alaska, NY, shrimp tempura (slightly dry, it needs a sauce), and a specialty roll called Salmon Crunch, which was great. Everything tasted fresh, had a good amount of fish, and wasn't too heavy on the rice. All servers were friendly and attentive. I am new to Chicago, but in my opinion the prices seemed on par or better than we have seen around the city. Great location, food, and prices without the pretentious atmosphere of some sushi places. We will definitely be buying more Groupons and going back!!
(5)
Hatice Y.

Melvin and Carlos best sushi chef in town fro me. everytime I visit their restaurant I sit at the bar and request my special. let me tell you why . because I am raw vegan means no animal products also uncooked if possible:) these two guys create amazing sushi with limited items. I love avocado rolls. if yo are vegeterien or vegan go to Kyoto. They have no limits to serve for you
(5)
Sarah C.

Good food but be careful with your groupon! I dont normally take away stars due to service but this time I feel like I need to. It was busy for a Sunday night and our table was thoroughly ignored. Had to flag down the waitress to get menus, then to order, and again to ask for the check. When we presented our groupon the $45 was subtracted from our order after tax was charged on our purchase (so the bill was ~$5, which was all tax). This is ILLEGAL. You do not pay tax on an amount that you did not actually pay. In this case you should only be charged tax for the $20 you spent on the groupon and any additional cost over $45. We had to catch a show later and didnt have time to sort this out with the clearly overworked waiters so we paid the tip and incorrect tax but we definitely didnt appreciate this practice of overcharging their customers.
(3)
Jonathan B.

Great service. On my walk home after getting take out, they called to tell me they realized they goofed up my order. To make up for it, they drove what they forgot to my doorstep. When I got home, I was very happy with the food quality.
(5)
Brett P.

Went to Kyoto on a Tuesday night to use a Groupon we had for a while. I really enjoyed my meal and the overall dining experience. The restaurant is underground which is unique and also pretty nicely decorated. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. BYOB was also a plus, and there was no corkage fee. The sushi was some of the more expensive that I've had, but also some of the tastiest. I must say that if I was paying full price, I would have been a little disappointed by the size of the rolls. Based on reviews, we ordered the snowballs for an appetizer. They are delicious, and the truffle oil plus the delicate white tuna is really what makes this dish awesome.(Go with the spicy snowball) We also ordered the Miami roll, the sweet potato tempura, summer dragon maki, and the creamy roll. The Miami roll was our favorite with the creamy roll not too far behind. Overall, Kyoto is a worthwhile sushi spot especially if you have Groupon.
(4)
Jackie F.

I've been to Kyoto a few times but lastnight was definitely my best experience yet. The creamy roll is excellent, Miami roll was excellent, and so was the Eightball we had for a starter. The Fiesta roll was not my favorite but wasn't bad either just not as good as the other 2 we had. BYOB is always a plus and service was quick. I will say it is a bit more expensive than some sushi places but definitely will be back.
(5)
David M.

Great place, wonderful staff. Must try the Ja Ja Sake. And if they have fatty tuna that day, just to die for. But they typically save it for their regular customers, so go often.
(5)
Stephanie H.

I'm a little late posting my review, ate here a few weeks ago. Small and quaint, a bit dark, but nice. More importantly though, the food. And by that I mean the Miami roll! YUM!! Even though I was disappointed they were out of creme brÃ»lÃ©e, I left with a smile on my face because I ate another Miami roll for dessert! The staff was really nice too!
(4)
Patrick P.

I've been here a few times, and there are some good qualities to Kyoto- First of all, there is free parking in the back lot. Second- BYOB. Always a nice option if you want to bring your own booze to enjoy here. The first few times we've had a Groupon, and I agree with many of the folks that the sushi (nigiri) and sashimi is definitely on the high side when it comes to pricing. In Lincoln Park I think this is a bit high. The quality of the fish is good- and that is important to note- but for the pricing I think they have been less generous each time I have visited with their individual and especially the platter portions. Went here last night with my brother, and he ordered the Sushi and Sashimi sampler for $27- and I swear that it looked like it was 4 pieces of both. He offered some to me- but I politely declined, knowing that he would be ordering more food, which he did. I ordered a roll with Tempura Udon as my meal- The real issue I have is with the Tempura Udon. I waited almost 20 minutes (after the sushi arrived) to receive my dish last night, and I'm not really one to get overly upset because I know it's busy, and there are other people in the world starving...but this dish was nothing special at all. The bowl was served with just broth and noodles (almost seemed like it was an instant packet) and the customary side of tempura. That's it. Something you can go and pick up at any Asian grocery store and make for yourself. For $11 I'm pretty sure the restaurant is doing just fine with the minimum profit margin of 85% on this item. My brother and I were kidding around- maybe they didn't have any fresh udon handy and the reason it took so long is that they had to Grubhub an order for my dinner. Stick with the rolls when you go. Make sure you have a Groupon. Service was good. People need to discover other options out there though. In Chicago there are plenty of them for the money you spend out there.
(2)
Nicole P.

Kyoto is my go to sushi place in Chicago! If you are looking to find a reasonably priced Sushi restaurant, it's one of the freshest places around. I would recommend making a reservation if you are looking to go on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday because otherwise you probably won't get a table. You only need to book a week in advance though. My favorite rolls are the orange sunshine(has a slice of orange on top so its really refreshing). The Miami (definitely heavier but delicious). The Snowball(under appetizers) is also amazing! On top of the food, the staff is fabulous and super friendly!
(4)
Amy R.

This was my 2nd visit and once again it was amazing! Make sure to order the Spicy Snowball and make sure you have a reservation.
(5)
Emma N.

Restaurant is super hard to find and the location of the restaurant was not convenience. The food is nothing compare to California Sushi at all. Service was bad. They forgot about our roll and come up with a blame excuse they their give it to the wrong table. Badmouth right in front of the customers.
(1)
Bri B.

This place is terrible. I've been here a few times, and thought it was at least okay and only worth a groupon. I went again tonight and I don't know if it's changed or what but I thought the food was pretty horrible. The shrimp dumplings were the best thing we ordered. Everything else was pretty bad. Why does all of the sushi have imitation crab meat, especially with the prices they charge. It reminded me of being back in college when I'd go to the refrigerator sushi station and eat cold, old sushi that's been sitting there for hours. I'm sorry, I wouldn't go here again, even with a Groupon. It was EMPTY on a Saturday night!! If that's not bad I don't know what is. If you go to the Marianos in Ravenswood, grab a drink, and sit at the counter and order sushi, you actually get a much better quality sushi for much cheaper. A grocery store should not be better than a restaurant.
(2)
Rexcrisanto D.

SUSHI RATING BREAKDOWN: CLEANLINESS / NEATNESS Display Case: 3 Cutting Boards: 2 Sushi Bar: 3 Restaurant: 4 Bathrooms: 4 SUSHI CHEF (s) CLEANLINESS Professional Appearance: 3.5 Hand Washing: 2 Wiping of Knives: 2 Wiping of Board: 2 Makisu Bamboo Mats: 3 Cross Contamination Control: 2 Display Case Doors Closed after Opening: 2 SUSHI CHEF (s) SKILLS Sushi Rice Quality: 3 Nigiri Preparation (Shari / Neta): 2.5 Maki Roll Preparation: 3 Sashimi Preparation: 3 Presentation: 4 Friendliness / Interaction: 2 FOOD (SUSHI BAR) Freshness: 3 Taste: 3 Japanese Authenticity: 3 Innovation: 3 SERVICE: 3 Likelihood to return if nearby: 2 Likelihood to "go-out-of-my-way" to return: 1 TOTAL SCORE: 2.70 (Everything else is secondary) THIS REVIEW IS BASED ONLY ON THE SUSHI BAR. Friendly waitresses and owner, who greets and converses with customers in person. Small place that tends to be loud. Interesting menu with some innovative twists. Unlike previous visit, this last visit had disappointing sushi rice, which makes the quality inconsistent. Also, the shari & neta proportions don't warrant the high nigiri pricing. My major concerns are with the sushi chefs who left the display cases that holds the raw fish open for much too long. Also, even though they wear gloves, they didn't remove and discard them enough after touching contaminated surfaces. If you like your privacy when eating, you won't like the center island seating because you may likely be sitting elbow to elbow with strangers if you are seated there when busy.
(3)
Lola K P.

Still a Fan, good food, friendly staff, and Tony is a great host! We've always been treated wonderfully every time we visit, and we have a good time. That said, I do need to add a note - this last Saturday night, it was packed and hopping, with some extra-boisterous college-age kids celebrating birthdays - they're smack dab in University territory. But it was a bit disconcerting to notice that this time we were the absolute oldest people in the joint - the next oldest person in there was at least 2 decades younger than us. Awww, we're gettin' old. Just a heads-up. Of course, the 20-somethings will love it! - maybe we'll stick to weeknights. Still a recommend!
(4)
Cindy D.

Very expensive compared to food quality because the food is really just so so. Don't order noodles, no flavor at all, just water broth!! sushi ok... nothing special... anyways, will not recommend it to others and will not go again...
(2)
Dawn H.

Thanks to an introduction by Groupon, my fiance and I came here to check it out on a Saturday night. It took a while to park though. Yeah, we did our research and were aware of the free parking available behind the restaurant (which is advertised). However, the lot was full (at 6 pm). Blah. The food lowdown: 1) Tempura appetizer: (4 stars) - variety of vegetables including sweet potato, regular potato, broccoli, onions, green beans, and shrimp (by the way, how do they get a shrimp to be that elongated?) $6.95 2) Creamy Maki: (4 stars) - avocado wrapped around shrimp tempura, unagi, spicy mayo, and roe with tempura flakes...quite possibly the highlight of the meal $16 for 9 pieces 3) Philadelphia Maki: (2 stars) - fresh salmon, cream cheese, scallions...nothing special $5.95 for 6 pieces 4) Spicy Scallop Maki: (3 stars) - fresh scallops, roe, spicy mayo, came with cucumber despite not being listed.....nothing special $5.95 for 6 pieces 5) Steak Teriyaki: (4 stars) - tender steak with an awesome teriyaki sauce that rivals the teriyaki sauce at Izumi $17.95 As far as untangibles, the service was slightly slow that night despite a 50% occupancy. Our water went unfilled for more than 10 minutes at one point (biggest gripe). We tried to maneuver around this by ordering diet coke, but beware as you'll be charged by the can (no free refills). Just a warning. Overall, decent sushi at a not-so decent price with mediocre service. Can find other competitive sushi bars in the area for sure.
(3)
Peter B.

Rude service. Overpriced food. Horribly loud music. Cramped seating. Basement like atmosphere. Where do I sign up?
(1)
Charlie S.

Went on a Groupon and was moderately pleased. The sushi is mid-level and the service friendly, however the restaurant itself is LOUD. So loud that I had to shout straight into my friend's ears for them to hear. If you want to have dinner with the noise level of a CTA train passing overhead, this is your spot on a Friday night. Also, in comparison to other sushi restaurants, the sushi is not well priced. For $65 we got around 40-50 pieces. That is way over $1 per piece.
(3)
Saba A.

As soon as we walked in, we loved the place. It was intimate, friendly chat volume, and comfortable. 50 percent of the place was full on a early Saturday night, and they asked us where we wanted to sit. Our waitress was friendly and gave us details about the sushi's. My favorite was the one with sweet potato (vege). You have to get that if you decide to go! They came out quick and you see the sushi chef's making sushi in the back. They work hard! The sushi was delicious and tasted fresh! I would make a reservation if you can, but I don't think you have to! Next time I'm in the area, I will go again, well, if I have a groupon!
(4)
Alex S.

Great BYOB spot in Lincoln Park. I have been here more times than I can count and love the Binon and Miami rolls. Great for groups or dates, and the service is tops. I would highly recommend calling ahead if you are going on a Friday or Saturday.
(4)
Andre W.

I am a brand new member of the Groupon community ever since they had the big sushi deal for some other restaurant (names will remain anonymous). I had been hoping another deal would be on the horizon soon and this week my wish came true. $25 to eat $50 worth of sushi at Kyoto! I was having some drinks downtown with my lady and some friends and suddenly three of us had a sushi craving. Luckily I had my groupon in my pocket! We jumped on the Red Line and got off on Fullerton, walked a couple of blocks north on Lincoln and there we were. The entrance led us downstairs to a nice, medium sized, mildy cramped, nicely lit sushi haven. One of the hosts greeted us immediately and asked if we have a reservation. I told him no and he said we were in luck and there was a table available. I gave him my groupon and he seated us. It was a pretty crowded night as we were not the only groupon users. This place is BYOB and I forgot so we had a sober meal. I had been drinking enough before I arrived so I was ok. For an appetizer, we went with the seaweed salad which was good. We decided to go with Spicy Tuna (always a must), Sake Maki (salmon), Oshinko Maki (Japanese pickle), Tekka Maki (tuna), Fiesta Maki (tuna, salmon, jalepeno & cilantro) and one of the specials The Snowball (super white tuna, truffle, scallion & soy sauce). They were all great, but the show stealers were the Snowball and the Fiesta as both were overly delicious. The yellow ginger was great also. We waited quite awhile for the food but it was well worth the wait. After finishing our meal, the guy that runs the place (Tony) thanked us for coming out and that he hoped we enjoyed the meal and I told him yes and I definately will return. He told me Fridays and Saturdays are packed, but because of the Groupon it had really gotten busy. He said weekdays are good days to show up to have the twin brother sushi masters make something special that is not on the menu as they are the ones responsible for the specials that are on the menu. They will make something for you only if you get the seats where they are preparing the goods. I will definately be aiming for those seats next time around! Good stuff here!!!! I did indeed return and again went for the Fiesta and it was not a one hit wonder! It was as good as the first time around. We got seats at the sushi bar, but it was too packed so the twins could not prepare anything special this time around. Its ok, because the sushi was still delicious
(5)
Lauren H.

Thanks to Groupon, I got to try a lot of items (ate it over the course of a couple of meals). I tried: Tempura Tobiko (1 black, 1 red) Escolar Dynamite (Sushi) Snowball Miami roll Service was friendly, food was ready when I got there (I called ahead for carry-out), and it tasted good. Nice to have another neighborhood option.
(4)
Sacha B.

We went a week ago for my birthday dinner after seeing 'Million Dollar Quartet' next door. Missed our 6PM reservation but had no problem moving it to after the show. The five of us shared the spicy boat, Miami roll, and party roll (if I remember correctly, it was a special). The food was delicious and the waitress was very personable and efficient. The restaurant was dark but (1) it's in a basement and (2) it was 10PM at night so I expected that. What made the experience really stand out for me was the customer service focus of the owner. He was friendly when we arrived (to seat us) and super helpful when we returned to the parking lot to find our car battery dead. Without hesitation he found some cables and came out to give us a jump start. Our waitress used her car, and the two of them couldn't be nicer. Now THAT'S full service.
(5)
Katie R.

this place was good, but not the best, and i wouldn't go out of my way to get it. thus, 3 stars (sorry kyoto, i'm trying not to rate so many businesses 4 stars as i usually do.. you are my first test of will-power). BYOB. edamame was standard. i'd definitely recommend the crunch salmon. the fireball was a nice balance of flavors but FAR too spicy for me (even after picking out the jalapeno) but great for spice lovers. now, yelp you led me astray because i ordered the creamy based on recommendations, and it was well, just that. overly creamy, infact, without any contrast. i love creamy, too. :shrugs:. we got our appetizer with our sushi - we ordered it a bit late though - the eight ball. i was disappointed because i really though it would be a ball! it was a bit more of a triangle. sorry, i get excited for strange things like that. anyway the flavor was good but overall the dish wasn't great and not worth the price. in fact, nothing screamed "FRESH!" to me the entire meal or was overly delicious and thus not worth the total price (my groupon helped, though!). service was good, decor was a bit vanilla but clean.
(3)
Ramya P.

Sumptuous Sushi! Me and a few pals were here on a crowded Friday night. I strongly suggest a reservation during the weekends. They have a large menu with plenty of vegetarian options. We got the Vegetable gyoza (the potstickers) and the Veggie paradise... It was very tasty. It was so good that my husband who is not a huge fan of sushi exclaimed with delight. Our friends who got the Rainbow and the Orange sunshine maki loved it too. Its another BYOB gem in the neighborhood.
(5)
Kathleen S.

This is my favorite sushi place in this area. Try any of the crunch rolls, and get them spicy. Seriously delicious rolls. It's gotten a bit crazy since they started doing groupons - sometimes they act a lot busier than they look (or they just haven't quite mastered the art of timing reservations) so I go sit at the bar instead of a table if it's just me and one other person. But if you can snag a table, it's definitely worth a go, and a return trip. I agree that it's not cheap for sushi in LP, but I usually go get one fancy roll and one simple one (love me some spicy tuna), so it's not outrageous. They definitely don't skimp on the fish in the rolls, so you at least get your money's worth. Also, they do gift card deals - you can buy a gift card for your next visit for a discount, or snag a groupon, which they seem to do pretty often. Also, their takeout also doesn't suffer by not being plated or simply by being takeout - it's delicious, just like in the restaurant. Yum. In sum, their sometimes annoying habit of leaving empty tables and then saying they're super busy is trumped by delicious sushi. Go.
(5)
Russell B.

When I went the sushi was good but the service was slow. $5 corkage fee and free parking in the back are bonuses. I would order the creamy roll again when I go back.
(4)
S K.

WORST SERVICE EVER!! DO NOT PURCHASE GROUPON DEAL because there is no point in coming here. its is not worth the $$ or the energy to eat here. First of all, the service was very slow. All of our food came out so late and one of the item did not come out. When I asked what happened to it the server became startled and said that "it normally takes long" and went to the back to talk to the sushi chefs. Later after a while as passed again, i asked her AGAIN AND SHE SAID SHE ACCIDENTALLY GAVE THE ORDER TO THE WRONG TABLE without any sign of feeling sorry. I think i ended up saying the word "RIDICULOUS" at one poing and later i hear her talking VERY LOUDLY AS IF SHE WANTS ME TO HEAR to the sushi chefs "...AND SHE THINKS ITS RIDICULOUS" She rolled her eyes, gave me the looks, basically saying, "so what? i don't care" I ASKED FOR THE MANAGER BUT THE MANAGER WAS NOT THERE -____- it was so ridiculous that we were unable to swallow any food that came from that restaurant then on and basically left without paying any tip. The food FINALLY came out, but we just left it thinking they probably spat on it lol we didn't eat a single bite of the creamy roll. Of course we paid the full price for the food, but NO TIP WHATSOEVER!!!! im still get so angry thinking about this place!!!!
(1)
Sarah I.

I wish yelp would do 1/2 stars! I would actually give Kyoto 4.5 stars. I've been to Kyoto a few times now and each time has been delish! They staff and manager are very friendly...great service. Everything is so fresh! Some of my favs: The Creamy, Fireball and Miami. Next time I will have to try the Spicy Tuna Tataki Maki since I've heard great things about it. I also love that they have specials such as $50 gift card for $25 and when they have Groupons. The reason I didn't give Kyoto 5 stars is that I feel like it is a little more expensive and some of the rolls aren't as big for how much money they are. Other than that, I love Kyoto and will definitely be back!
(4)
John Z.

Solid sushi. I'm a big fan of the Spicy Snowball and Spicy Tuna Tataki. Overpriced if you don't have a coupon, but BYOB helps.
(4)
Kate B.

I went at 5:30 on a Friday night and there was no wait and the service was great! Around 6:30 there was a line out the door and service definitely got slower. But no matter how long you wait, it's WORTH it. Don't rush brilliance. We ordered (per Yelpers suggestions) the Spicy Snowballs (my all night favorite) Flamin Dynamite (a great appetizer!) the Crunchy Salmon roll (amazing!) and at that point we realized we couldn't go wrong. We asked the server to tell the chef to make us anything he wanted. From there we got three rolls that weren't on the menu that were just to die for. One of them was covered in roe- which I'm usually hit or miss on- and I have never had such flavorful roe in my life. Delicious. I can't recommend going off-menu enough. This place is FABULOUS. It's an intimate setting for conversation and taste bud explosion. I will take all of my out-of-town friends here to see what Chicago is all about.
(5)
Alison C.

I'm from California and I ate here while visiting family in Chicago and I LOVED all the sushi! I really wish you could open another restaurant in the Los Angeles area. The eight ball, spicy snowball and stuffed tomato were my favorites! I also ate the spicy tuna tataki maki, fireball maki, and fiesta maki, all of which were delicious. Another plus is that it is "Bring your own booze". I have yet to find a sushi place that allows this in my area. We had a group of 8 and they gave us a back room to sit in. It was nice and kept our loud group a but secluded from the rest of the restaurant. The atmosphere plus BYOB plus family time made for an awesome sushi experience! Even though I am surrounded by sushi in LA, I find myself craving Kyoto. Thank you for the yummy sushi, I hope to return one day. :)
(5)
Michael S.

So went here without looking on yelp first to guide me.. I know, i know.. I live life so dangerously.. Anyways, really glad we dropped in to this place before watching Million Dollar Quartet! Not sure who Jonathan is in terms of the restaurant, but he was really friendly. Sat us down in a weird table where I faced another guy 2 tables down and we could see each other.. Kind of weird for that layout, but ah well.. he wasn't bad looking or distracting that it stopped me from surveying the rest of the place. It did seem more like a lounge with its blue lights and decor. I did like it though. There is an area near the front that would be great for a bar it seems.. maybe something to think about. We got some japanese pickles (I think it's called Oshinko) on the house brought out by the guy named Jonathan. Also, a sushi chef came out and brought us unagi tempura.. Really thought that was really nice of them to do so.. Ordered the snowball maki (super white tuna over rice spheres with truffle/truffle oil on top).. really good.. It was delicate tasting and really delicious. Also had the spicy scallop which I thought was spicy, but didn't overpower the scallop too much.. another winner with that one.,. had the orange sunshine which had shrimp tempura, crab, and orange slices.. I liked this one a lot too, but not as much as the first two mentioned. Last, but not least we had the crazy maki as well... just like other crazy makis.. can't remember what is in it right now, but it was good.. The fish for everything was fresh and they do have free parking in the back! Loved the service and how we were treated here... Will definitely come back.. Thanks Kyoto!
(5)
Hil B.

Found out about this place via groupon. All the food items we ordered were excellent ... shrimp shumai, orange sunshine maki, salmon teriyaki combo. The combo is their bento box. The server was very polite and offered suggestions on the menu when asked. I would def visit this restaurant again.
(4)
Julie F.

Small rolls and I've had better quality sushi for sure. Not worth it to me even with a groupon!
(1)
Whitney L.

I got started on the wrong foot with Kyoto. My boyfriend and I had a weekend sushi deal ($20 for $40) and headed over there last weekend before finding out that Taste of Lincoln was happening (insert loud uncomfortable groan). We finally found parking, pushed our way through the crowd, got to the front door...and it was locked. We were pretty upset, this being a Saturday night and all, but we persevered and went down the road to Nan's. Back to action this past weekend, we headed over to Kyoto Friday night with a bottle of wine in hand. They have a little parking lot around back which was convenient once no parking was to be found on Lincoln Ave. We came in through a back door into the tiny, tiny restaurant that is Kyoto. We stumbled our way up front where we were greeted pretty hastily. The owner/manager was not pleased that we didn't have a reservation and was very short with us.... until we realized my boyfriend knew a server there. Then the charm came out. We were seated after waiting 10-15 minutes...and I guarantee it was only because we knew the girl. (MAKE A RESERVATION, FOLKS) We were on a schedule so we quickly glanced at the menu and made some decisions. Of course we got the spicy snowball and of course my fellow Yelpers didn't let me down. So warm and delicious. We also ordered the creamy roll (TOP FIVE BEST ROLLS EVER), the crunch salmon maki (the honey in the ingredients had us dreaming of the honey bee from cafe sushi), and the orange sunshine maki (slices of orange on top!). All three were fantastic. The food came out faster than any sushi restaurant...no...any restaurant period, that I have ever been to. My only irks are this: -The food came out so fast and we had such a tiny table that it was hard to juggle all plates. -Not all three of our sushi rolls came out together. I like rotating each piece as I eat, instead we ate full rolls until the others came out. -It was LOUD. I mean, LOUD. But, thats what you get at a sushi place on a friday night in Lincoln park. Those trixies getting all buttered and sushi'd up before their night out...screeching ensues. I cannot wait to return to this place...on a weekday....
(4)
Hannah P.

Surprisingly very busy for a Tuesday evening. My bf and I have been here before about a year ago so we thought we would stop by again since we were in the area. Service was a bit slow for us but I really liked the salmon teriyaki and we also enjoyed the rolls we ordered (can't recall them). Nothing out of the ordinary here but the food is good! Will return.
(4)
Gia G.

I loveeee this place! I used to live in lincoln park and it's honestly one of the restaurants that I miss the most. The sushi is reasonably priced and always fresh. The staff is friendly and accommodating. The service is usually quick even on busy nights. I highly highly recommend the Unagi Tempura. It's one of their specials and it's out of this world. Whenever I've brought someone new to this location, they've always raved about the unagi tempura and cited it as their favorite. Each time I'm back in the area, I make it a point to visit this location. I used to order it twice weekly and I might just move back to the area so I can do it all over again!
(5)
Marc V.

The twin chefs are true artist. Food is very good. A bit busy during Friday and Saturday hour dinner rush, so you need to phone in ahead and make reservations. I always come with a group of friends and ask for the Omakase (Chef's choice). You can't go wrong!
(5)
Kelly A.

I must have walked by this place a hundred, if not more, and never thought to try it out. It just looked like your average sushi restaurant. In other words, nothing to write home about. But boy was I wrong. The spicy boat was delicious and seemed like a fair price for 6 rolls, many of which were more specialty roles. The flavors were great and there wasn't a single thing that tasted off. Their rolls are a little less creative overall than what I've found at Tank, my favorite Chicago sushi restaurant, but still very delicious and worlds above a standard sushi restaurant. I think my only complaint was that the $5 per bottle BYOB fee really adds up quickly so in the future I'd probably be more mindful and bring no more than 1-2 bottles for the table. We easily had 1 bottle per person and the extra $20 on the bill really smarted. Clearly the answer is probably that we should drink less. :-) My other tip would be to absolutely get a reservation. The wait otherwise was upwards of 45 minutes on a Friday night, which wouldn't be bad except there really is no good place to wait in the restaurant and obviously, no bar. Tank in Lincoln Square still remains my favorite for its creative specialty rolls, but this place is easily another good option when I'm in the Lincoln Park area.
(4)
Hannah C.

If you're looking for an upper-brow sushi joint whose average customer age is around 40, this is not your place. However, if you're looking for high-quality sushi at a reasonable price with BYOB and a great atmosphere on the weekend or weeknight, go here. Kyoto has become our friends' watering hole on Friday or Saturday nights/for big casual birthdays, and even for a quick bite on a Tuesday. It gets super busy on weekends so make sure to make a rez, and if you come on a weekday and you drive, there's convenient parking in the back. Service is surprisingly amazing considering all the young, drunk people who tend to congregate at Kyoto past 10 on a Friday or Saturday (thanks to BYOB, and I'm not complaining). There's even a back room that can fit around 15 if need be. Lastly, they recently started carrying the gluten free tamari (soy sauce), but they had unfortunately ran out the last time I was there so call ahead if you can to double check that they have it -- that way you can save yourself the hassle of carrying around a bottle filled with your own GF soy sauce (just me??...).
(5)
Maegin C.

Best sushi I've had in Chicago so far. The creamy is amazing, the Miami is fantastic! A little pricey compared to Ringo down the street but you pay for Taste and quality of sushi. The service the first time was fantastic, the second time our waitress was terrible. Get there early if you want a table or sit at the bar if you have two people. Also, watch out for the groupon deals they have every once in a while. It definitely worth it!
(4)
Ryan L.

Kyoto is a BYOB Sushi Restaurant. It can't get any better than that...until you have the food. I have been there several times and it gets better and better every time. My advice...sit at the bar and have the chef's choose your meal for you. The spicy snowball is a great way to start off before dinner. The orange roll is awesome but again...sit at the bar and ask them to choose your meal...its great. The interior is very cool with 1 flat screen. It can get loud because it is not huge but not too loud. Its definitely worth stopping by multiple times. Kyoto is by far a 5 star! Love this place.
(5)
Nick M.

I don't know how to say it so I just put it out there... Kyoto gave me an STD, actually they gave me a few STD's. Who knew this little hole in the wall could do something like that?! I mean it's not like I haven't had a few STD's before, but never from a sushi joint or at least never this many. Now before you start scratching for more info let me back track and say that I don't understand the need to make disgusted faces at me for liking STD's. Come on, they make your body feel alive! What would this world be like without them... boring is what! Anyways, I was at a bar having a few drinks before dinner at Kyoto when I accidentally overheard a few girls talking about STD's and the one was complaining about she just got over one blah, blah, blah. A lot more complaining occurred before I had enough and went over. I was like "STD's are awesome", "I will eat the shit out of an STD", "what are your problems?!?". They gave me this disgusted look and one almost vomited in her own mouth. I don't understand what is wrong with people... S imple T asty D ishes at Kyoto Asparagus Maki Philadelphia Maki Sweet Potato Tempura Maki Inari Maki Fireball Spicy Tuna Tatak Edamame The selection of vegetarian sushi is amazing! The service is excellent, they give great recommendations. FYI the spicy Tuna will blow your mind!! If I keep getting STD's at Kyoto, I might just live there!
(4)
Karen S.

I got a Living Social deal for this place ($20 for $40), and I'm so happy I tried it! My gf and I shared a delicious appetizer called the spicy snowball. She enjoyed a couple of rolls for her entree, and I had the chicken katsu. Everything was so good and totally fresh. The interior of this restaurant reminded me of my time in Japan. We also really liked our server. She had some great recommendations. Definitely going to return!
(5)
Grace Y.

Upon looking at the pictures on Yelp, I was a little apprehensive since the sushi chefs were not Japanese, but you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover! Kyoto was off the hook. This was my second time visiting Chicago and this was probably the best place I've been to so far or at least the most comparable to San Francisco food. It also helps that this place is BYOB and that I came here with a group of 6 and we ordered pretty much the entire menu. They gave us a sweet private room and all the ingredients were fresh and satiating. Some of my favorite rolls: Fireball, spicy tuna tataki, salmon skin maki. The only complaint I had about this place was our waitress had a stank face on like she hasn't been laid in a while. She was also borderline annoying when she insisted that we might not want beer glasses because it would "crowd the table" even though our table was for 8 and we were 6 people. Why don't you just say, "Please don't sake bomb?" To which I could reply, it's BYOB! Great place to come with friends and I think it would actually be a cute place for a date too since the ambience is nice as well.
(4)
Peter N.

Sushi chefs are awesome! My girlfriend and I come quite often and usually always sit at the sushi bar to try and learn their secrets to making a perfectly shaped roll. Well I guess we WAY go too often because when we dropped by this past weekend on a slow day, the chef greeted us and we chatted for a few minutes while he was making some rolls. Then he handed us one of them (fo' free, SWEET!).
(5)
Rebecca H.

I've been back because of the atmosphere and sushi.
(4)
Lesley H.

AMAZING maki. Rolls were delicious. I highly recommend the Snowball appetizer. And it's BYO! I haven't tried the sashimi or nagiri, so I can't comment on those. The people are friendly, too. It's a little tight in spots, but otherwise wonderful.
(4)
Michael B.

Just ok. Sushi is not bad but not great. Service is good. Decor is a bit tired. Tables are packed. Can hardly move between them. For how many sushi restaurants there are that serve alcohol this one which is BYOB isn't worth a return trip. Not sure why there are so many high ratings by others. The flat screen behind the bar was incongruous.
(2)
J and S.

One of my favorite places in the city! 1. Friendly Service! Everything comes pretty quickly, they don't push you out the door (because there is usually plenty of open tables)- which means you can take full advantage of #4! 2. Good Location - walking distance from Diversey or Fullerton EL stop (not super close, but do-able), and on the Lincoln bus route, you can also usually find some parking nearby. 3. Food. Fresh Fish, All the staples (great Philly & spicy tuna) and a few tasty specialties... I've liked everything I've ordered (Note: I am very picky about food... so I typically stick to the more plain options) 4. BYOB... need I say more? Lack of a 5th Star = nothing too special about it, average decor, nothing extraordinary on the menu, etc. Not a first date spot, but a good spot for a "lets grab dinner tonight" spot.
(4)
Zach M.

Atmosphere is great. Another "small" but comfortable feel. The sushi and sashimi is amazing. Though all the sushi rolls we had are great my favorite was by far the creamy roll, a Kyoto specialty. This could be a really great place for groups of 4 to 10 people. Just make sure you put in a reservation. It gets really busy at night!
(5)
Dani M.

Kyoto proved to be the perfect place to break my two-month long (involuntary) sushi hiatus. A Groupon brought me here, but the food and service is well worth the full price. I split four rolls with one other person and was pretty full afterwards. Although that might have had something to do with us downing a bottle of delicious sake (like most of the other zillion Asian restaurants in the Chi, Kyoto's BYOB--with a $5 corkage fee). The four Kyoto specialty rolls that we ordered: * Crunchy salmon * Spicy tuna tataki * Fireball * Orange sunrise Each one was pretty damned tasty, but I'd say the spicy tuna tataki is great if you're looking for a spicier roll (it's spicier than most other spicy tuna maki that I've tried), and the orange sunrise had a fresh, welcoming flavor after the other, slightly heavier rolls. The service was great, and the dÃ©cor is perfect for dinner (nice mood lighting). I made a reservation, but I'm not sure that was necessary for a Thursday at 8 p.m.--it was busy, but there were several tables open when we got there. Can't wait to come back!
(4)
Jessy P.

We love coming here on quiet week ngihts, but in the weekends it's delivery for sure! First, the guy that takes you order over the phone is so funny and friendly, one of the best people to give your order to ever. If a problem comes up he calls you right back to double check your order or credit card number. Honesty and funny is always the way to go! The food is always fresh and yummy, and arrives exactly how you want it! Kyoto is the way to go!
(5)
Molly A.

I love this place! A lot of other people do too, though, so you should definitely make reservations. Luckily, the couple we were with had thought about this, so like royalty, we were seated the moment we entered, despite tons o' people waiting in line on a Saturday night. It's also BYOB (always an amazing feature!) and conveniently located across the street from a liquor store. We had the edamame, which, although a simple dish, can easily be ruined with over or undercooking. It was perfectly boiled and salted. Hopefully the fact that we were all starving by the time we got to the restaurant doesn't bias my review at all :) We tried the oyster shooters, which were amazing, spicy and different. They didn't taste overly fishy, the way oysters sometimes can, and the Tabasco on top added the perfect amount of fire. The quail egg also adds a wonderful texture to these bite sized shooters. We impetuously ordered a boat, having eyed other tables enjoying them. It came filled to the brim with deliciously spicy rolls that we gobbled up in no time. Also, considering the individual prices of rolls, it was kind of a steal. Each of the individual rolls had a distinct taste, and we all had our favorites. Mine was the Dynamite Roll, but I'm also a sucker for good Unagi. Despite the hustle and bustle, the service was quite good! One server (not even ours) walking by, noticed that we were low on Soy Sauce and filled us up right away. Water glasses were never empty, and everyone was amiable and friendly. Definitely recommend this place, and since they gave us a generous ten dollars off coupon, we'll definitely be returning!
(5)
Joanna L.

I've been here twice. The first time it was great. The 2nd, not so much. The first time I came here I really enjoyed my sushi. They have a great selection of rolls that are really yummy. I had 2 friends that got sick the next day, and weren't sure why. The 2nd time I came here with some friends, 2 of them and myself got incredibly sick the next day - so bad I ended up in the ER. It was likely food poisoning. Needless to say, I will not be coming back here.
(2)
Laurie V.

I feel bad updating a review so negatively, but I am pretty annoyed with what happened last night and feel that it is fair to mention. We called to place a carry out order and had great service from the woman on the phone. I am pregnant and we were being careful to only have cooked items and she was clear that nothing would have roe on it. Waited well over an hour for our order, drove 20 minutes home and then discovered everything coated in raw eggs. It took us forever to get them to pick up the phone again and then we got a small apology and an offer to try again tomorrow. He was like, "Oh yeah, says here no raw, no roe, etc!" That helped me how? We'll try it again next week but it was still a bad experience. It was my husband's birthday and this was supposed to be a nice meal. In the end it was a lonely meal for him as I ate a Chobani yogurt on the couch.
(2)
James Michael S.

THIS PLACE ROCKS! Order these and you'll be happy. Creamy Snowball Spicy Tuna Tataki Maki - this could be the best roll I've ever eaten, period.
(5)
Michelle Z.

My family and I have been coming to Kyoto for years and I was extremely disappointed with the service this time. The sushi is excellent and cannot be beat. But our waitress was inattentive and forgetful. We never got out miso soups. She admitted that she simply forgot because she was focusing on other things. The honesty was appreciated but we still wanted our miso soup. Also when we finished our table wasn't cleared for a very long time. Overall it'll be a while before I come back.
(2)
Kat S.

Had another great experience here! Please please make a reservation if coming on a Friday or Saturday, after the groupon deal this place got really busy. However, all it takes is calling around 5pm when they open and you're in. I also have never waited for longer than 20 minutes for take-out. Easy! Anyway, the staff is so wonderful here. Super nice and chill. We got the spicy boat again (I can't stay away), delicious as always. This is my go-to place for sushi now, I'll miss it when I move!
(5)
Gretel S.

We loved this place. We were regular sushi eaters when we lived in Chicago, but this place blew our socks off. Their regular rolls were fantastic, but the snowball took the cake. To this day, I've not found a place with such delicate, flavorful sushi.
(5)
Eriko K.

Sit at the counter and eat the sushi! Loved the snowball, which has white tuna, truffle oil, melts in your mouth! Someone posted photos of this item. All the rolls are beautifully crafted -- everything we ate were unique creations of the chef. Twin sushi chefs have nice smiles -- very pleasant. We went right at 5 on a Saturday and sat at the sushi bar with our 5 year-old. All the staff were very kind to our kid. They also are open for lunch on Saturday from 11 to 2. I've got some photos so please take a look.
(4)
A.A. B.

I am not one to frequent restaurants as I love trying new places and food, but I have become a regular at this place. I love everything I have ever tried on their menu. I think the creamy roll is hands down the greatest sushi roll invention of all time. I highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Andrea P.

NOM NOM NOM!!! Sorry Wakamono, I'm abandoning ship!i! This place is THE place for sushi fans! They have a great selection of appetizers, exotic and delicious creations! I tried the Dynamite which consisted of baked shrimp and scallops in spicy mayo sauce and cooked unagi to top. They came on a bed of sea shells, which were also....on FIRE! I opened the menu and felt as though they had specifically designed sushi for my taste buds! I had the Miami roll and a crunchy roll, both equally delicious!
(5)
Sonia B.

I had been sitting on a Groupon here for some time, and figured I could utilize it for a long-overdue double date with some friends. We didn't think to make reservations, but my friend decided to on the off chance they were busy that night for dinner. She left a voicemail for them, and surprisingly went off without a hitch. We were greeted right away, and was very surprised to find the host recognize my friend's voice from the message! We were seated in a half-booth, and were very comfortable. The atmosphere is very cozy, dim-lit, and quiet-with exception to the party room filled with patrons enjoying their dinner and conversation. My date and I being the avid food lovers that we are, already studied the menu beforehand, and knew what we were ordering. I got the Spicy Tuna Tatake, while he ordered the Kyoto Roll-both lived up to the hype. The Spicy Tuna was a blend of perfect flavors, and had a great kick of spice, more so than other restaurants. I really enjoyed it. The Kyoto Roll was a great compliment to my roll because it was light and refreshing. My friend ordered the Creamy Roll which was unbelievably good. I believe it was the most expensive roll on the menu at $17-a bit high, but worth every penny. My other friend is a vegan, so luckily they had a great vegetarian section to choose from. He ordered the Shitake and Avacado Maki and the Asparagus Maki. He seemed to like the Shitake and Avacado more, so he got 2 orders. To top it off, it's BYOB, so my girlfriend and I pretty much split a bottle of bubbly by ourselves. Yum! We underestimated the quantity of the food, and were afraid it wouldn't be enough, but boy were we wrong. I was quite full at the end, and very happy I got to try different menu items. I would highly recommend coming here, and can't wait to come back. Yay Kyoto!
(4)
Kelly S.

I know I know, people reading this are probably thinking this chick must be obsessed a third review?! Honestly, I can't help it. Kyoto is just that good. Usually, in the city it goes like this: The first time you go your awestruck by the place so you don't really pick out things that could be wrong, Second time? You're more interested in trying something new to try. Third time? You have more time to take in your surroundings and really feeeeeeeel the experience. My third time at Kyoto? Still as good as the first. Things to note: -Getting them on the phone can be tricky, but they have a great turn around for calling you back. I had left a message for reservations, got a hold of them, and they still called me after reviewing the voice mail! -Their prices went up, which is kind of disappointing but understandable with all the success they've been having, you still get the same quality if not better -They used to give complimentary marinated cucumbers when you sat down, now they charge you for them =\ -If you want to get sushi with variety I suggest a SUSHI BOAT, you get an abundance worth the $$$ Bonus Points: One of the owners came over to our table and chatted with us for awhile, not something that's done that often. Super super nice! p.s Their groupons expire in the middle of March so expect an increase in customers if your planning on going!
(5)
Lily S.

Kyoto deserves 4.5 stars: Starters: 5 stars Main Course: 3 stars Service: 5 stars So all in all, I thought Kyoto was worth the drive. There is a free lot behind the restaurant, which is great for Lincoln Park! For starters: my friend and I ordered - Dynamite; Two flaming oyster shells with scallops and shrimp inside. MOUTH WATERING. My friend and I were so intrigued by the flames, it made the dish that much better. Warning: this dish is a little spicy -Spicy Snowball; White tuna over rice with spicy chili sauce. IT WAS AMAZING! My favorite dish of the night. You would think that it wouldn't be that great cause it's just a ball of rice, but they put some kind of oil/soy sauce into the rice and the whole thing just melts in your mouth. It tasted.. fluffy.. if a snowball had taste, i wish it would taste like this -Takoyaki; fried octopus balls topped with tonkatsu sauce and mayo. I have been on a voyage to look for good takoyaki since I went to Vancouver and had takoyaki at the night markets/Guu. This was not close but it was better than a lot of other japanese Izakaya places I've been too. PLUS, there were 5 in an order instead of 4! -Seaweed Salad; regular seaweed salad. My friend said she liked it. For Main dishes: I ordered Nabe Yaki Udon: It was ok at best. The broth wasn't very flavorful and the chicken was really really dry. My friend ordered two types of sushi rolls -Fireball: She liked it. It was unique and spicy. Had jalapeno in it but it worked. -Spicy Tuna Tataki Maki: She liked it better than the fireball. The service was good. AND i used the student discount (15%) for a total bill of around $70. Overall, more expensive than other japanese/sushi places in Chicago but the starters were def worth it, not so much the main dishes. Pros: Starters (Snowball and Dynamite)/Service/Ambiance/Free Parking/Discount Cons: Main dishes
(4)
Maria Z.

Hands down best sushi place I have ever been to. After never being a fan of sushi, Kyoto converted me into a sushi lover. Amazing service, and food. After my sister discovered this spot, we come here a few times a month. The owner is so down to earth and friendly. We feel like family every time we step foot here...AND its BYOB. ...and my glass of water is never empty (huge +) The spicy boat is great when you come with 3+ people. My favorite rolls are the crunchy salmon and tuna tataki. In terms of appetizers, the ahi flatbread and unagi tempura are great. The green tea ice scream is irresistible for dessert. Oh, and you cannot visit this place without trying the creamy roll. I still don't understand how these twins manage to create such wonders. I don't think i have ever felt so great about a restaurant before. I definitely recommend it.
(5)
Sarah Z.

This place rocks. Do you want a place for animated talks with a group of friends? Go here. Do you want a place for scandalous talks with a girlfriend? Grab one of the corner booths. Do you want a romantic little place tucked away from the rest of the world? Cozy up to your Sweetie here and share the Love Boat. Do you want to save on beer and wine? Go to Jewel on your way over because the liquor store across the street is pricey. Do you want to eat very good sushi? This is your place.
(5)
Maurizio G.

I won't give it 5 start because it gets way to loud in there. As far as everything else goes, 4 stars are well deserved. Food is great , place is clean...... and all that good stuff.
(4)
Alison M.

Excellent sushi for the price. The interior of the restaurant is impressive (but, maybe because the exterior of the building is so unimpressive) They often have deals through groupon, open table, etc... which makes it pretty busy. But, if you make a reservation, you'll be seated right away. However, I've found that the increase in patronage has lead to a decrease in service. A week ago I was there with a friend, and was ignored nearly the entire night! It was weird--the waitress dealt with the two tables on either side of us, but almost refused to make eye contact. She finally did take our order, and when the sushi came we were short a roll! But she never came back to check on us so we could ask her about it, After we finished our two rolls, we find out that she forgot to put in the order for the third. No apology-- nothing. People who were seated after us, were served and finished eating way before us. Nonetheless, despite this blip in service, I really do like Kyoto and would definitely get another groupon-- maybe by then they'll have gotten another waitress.
(4)
Katie L.

I really like Kyoto sushi. They have fresh food with reasonable prices. Plus they keep doing groupons, so I'm getting used to having dinner half off. It's BYOB which really is the icing on the sushi-cake. On the weekends, you should probably get a reservation.
(4)
Laura W.

I feel all I do is eat sushi and Kyoto was another stop on this mission. But it wasn't just your average food to me, everything was flavored with a bit more oomph and I liked everything we had. We had to start off with the Snowball because I read a lot of Yelp reviews that recommend them and they were good. I was sort of envisioning something like an arancini but they weren't, which was fine just not what I was expecting. I think next time I have to try the Eightball or the Spicy snowball. We also ordered the Tunateake and that was totally worth it. I thought the tuna was perfectly seared and the sauce was great. The waitress recommended this as an appetizer and she didn't steer us wrong. Since we had so much already I ordered a simple spicy tuna roll. It was spicier than other rolls I have had in the past but I think this was true to the meaning of the word spicy. We also had the creamy signature roll, I wish it had a different name but that doesn't really matter. It was awesome to see a roll completely wrapped in avocado with tempura in the middle. It was the perfect balance of soft and crunchy. Finally we had red bean ice cream for dessert. A generous portion to split between two people and it tasted fresh with no freezer burn.
(4)
Alice T.

- Excellent service (friendly and especially proficient at handling BYOB) - Great variety of creative appetizers (Ahi flatbread is delicious) - Great rolls (especially the crunch salmon, fireball and spicy scallop... but skip the crazy roll - turns out it
(5)
Diera H.

Simply AWESOME! Service was so-so, it was very very crowded on a Friday night so we were kind of ignored, but we totally understand. Here's what to order: Spicy Snowball Crispy/Crunchy Salmon Creamy Roll I went to heaven just now from those yummy yummy rolls.
(5)
Herminia I.

The husband and I came here the day after our groupon expired, completely exhausted from a full day of pre-wedding preparations. Thankfully, they were kind enough to still honor the entire deal. I think we walked in right when they opened, because the place was empty and had a strange smell--cleaner maybe? Since it wasn't overpowering we sat down and ordered their combination platters. I'm going to be honest. I'm not a sushi eater (yes i know, please don't shun), so i cannot review the biggest part of their menu. I, however, can review them on the other things they offer. I ordered a combo platter that included miso, teriyaki beef and chicken, tempura and rice. The food was good, the flavors were good and the service was great. But why the four stars? Well, without the groupon offer i felt that they were a bit overpriced and the teriyaki flavors weren't as amazing as Sunshine Cafe or Midori--with both restaurants in lower price points for similar foods. I would definitely go back, but only if a sushi-lover friend was in town and wanted a good place to go to.
(4)
Sarah S.

Kyoto is located in the basement of a storefront on Lincoln next to the Apollo Theater. I came in on a Saturday night around 6:30 with no reservation and had no problems getting seated. This is a BYOB, but they have a corkage fee for each bottle you open. This is the second time i've come across this in the last month! Grr...still cheaper than buying a bottle at a restaurant I suppose. I started with the seaweed salad which was very good. There were 3 of us and we split the spicy tuna, dragon maki, california, and the crazy maki. The dragon maki was by far my favorite. The other 3 rolls were kind of bland and didn't have much flavor. Our waitress was fairly attentive in the beginning, but tended to ignore us towards the end. We were trying to pay our bill and she took forever to come back to our table, then again, when she went to process it. The ambiance is very nice, but i've had better sushi in the city elsewhere.
(3)
Molly L.

My friends live upstairs from this place, so I'm a frequent diner. The sushi is always delicious, and the service is great. My favorite thing to order is definitely the crunchy salmon roll. Yum! It's the perfect combination of sweetness and crunchiness. I crave it often. People on here have mentioned that it's a bit pricey, and I agree, but you get a lot for your money. Also, they sometimes have Groupon deals and they're on restaurant.com .
(5)
Boon K.

My favorite sushi place in town. All I can think about is the snowball sushi( white tuna, truffle oil and scallion). No soy sauce needed for this place. They take the time to make each order and they are just beautiful to look at . If you love avocado, then you will love the creamy roll. That is avocado heaven. They also make a great tofu agedashi
(5)
Michael B.

Chefs + quality of the food is everything. If you see my other rating for Usagi Ya, you'll see that I loved it so much because of their chef, Melvin. I was sad to find out last year that he no longer worked there... A few months ago, my friend told me to check out Kyoto...i went onto yelp and looked at some of the pictures. MELVIN is the sushi chef here?!? I was so excited....brought a friend and my mom here to eat. Place was PACKED...I wonder if it had to do with their recent Groupon. Our very nice waitress asked what we wanted to order...without even opening the menu, i responded, "Whatever Melvin wants to make for us!" So good...we had no idea what we were eating. We just knew everything was freakin delicious. Thank you Kyoto for reconnecting me to Melvin and his amazing ability to confuse my tastebuds! I'll definitely will be back.
(5)
Nilda L.

I'd give another star, but service is really bad. Great food, however it was over shadowed by the horrible service. Why? It seems everyone, including us, were using our Groupons. I use Groupons all the time, that shouldn't excuse the service. They could have had another server working this evening. Service: We never got our water refilled, my friend's order didn't come until the rest of us were halfway through ours.we had to remihusband. nd the server for her order. Also had to ask for soy sauce in our table. Food: Started out with salad and tempura. I loved Saasy Kat salad, which had tuna and salmon.Great maki rolls. My favorite was the Spicy Tuna Tataki. So good I had to order another one to go for my husband. Also good were the Creamy and Caterpillar rolls. I will definitely give it another try, maybe a weeknight. According to my friend who comes here frequently, it's always packed. It's also BYOB.
(3)
James K.

My journey as a foodie is still in its early stages, however the first time I dined at Kyoto will always be remembered. After that meal, I thought that I would have a similar experience elsewhere, however till this day I have not. One day, I will probably tell my grandkids about that meal. In retrospect, I have to say that my meals at Kyoto Sushi have probably been the best meals I've ever had. If you could give a special few restaurants something beyond 5 stars like a "platinum" or "diamond" rating, this would be one of them.
(5)
Jessica S.

Old school atmosphere, fresh and tasty sushi. The rolls weren't super unique but there were fresh and tasty classics. There is a small charge for BYOB. They have a sushi making class (BYOB) that I would like to try. If in the area and craving something raw, I would try Kyoto.
(3)
bettina k.

I was amazed about the dominating four-star rating for Kyoto here- until I saw that most other Chicago sushi spots earn four stars from users... I was very prepared to love this place - cool decor, cool clients and staff- and a yelp reputation that preceded it. But c'mon, the sushi is way below average. I ordered the sashimi appetizer for $15 and it consisted of bland, thin slices of yellowtail that was indistinguishable from the tuna. So I took the emergency exit to sushi rolls where the quality of the fish isn't tantamount they were equally tasteless and that includes the rice. I hate to cite the competition but Green Tea, Toro and even Oysy are worlds apart from Kyoto,
(2)
Helena G.

Sushi for my B-day! The last year I had dinner in a Indian restaurant in La Paz. Yes, in a Indian restaurant in Bolivia!! So this year I decided to have sushi in Chicago! Japanese cuisine it's one of my favorites! We tasted the sushi/ sashimi combination and a few makis. Everything was delicious and very fresh! Specially the tuna! The staff is very nice!
(3)
Amanda A.

I became acquainted with Kyoto through Groupon and it's become our group's favorite sushi place. Consistently solid sushi (normal rolls) and then really fantastic appetizers. They usually have a good number of deals, too. Last time we were there they were selling a $50 gift certificate for $25. It was like a Groupon workaround, but we benefited.
(4)
Paige O.

I go to Kyoto at least once a week. I love their rolls! My favorites are Snowball, Fireball, and Fiesta, but I am never disappointed when I try their other sushi options. The quality is consistent, and they do a great job with texture. I never get bites that are so mushy/big/gross that I gag. For the non-sushi options, I really like their pork gyoza. The sauce is salty and spicy and so tasty. The only item I have tried that I would not recommend is their chicken teriyaki. It isn't that good, and with so many other delicious options I say skip it. I almost always order take out or delivery, and even I have noticed that the recent Groupon has made Kyoto substantially more crowded. Patrons get more $ off with the Groupon on Tuesday and Wednesday, so when I have gone for pickup on those days the place has literally been overflowing onto Lincoln. With crowds come side effects: I ordered delivery for five people (it was a large order) on Saturday night and they messed up my order, but everything was good, so it wasn't a deal breaker but was still annoying. Overall this place is reasonably priced, friendly, and delicious. The crowd can be disconcerting but shouldn't be a complete deterrent.
(4)
Mary Ann C.

Great meal. Great location near the Apollo Theater, where we were going to see a show! High points-1-Easily made a reservation by phone with someone I could HEAR (I hate calling a place and not being able to hear them clearly). 2-Rolls-Loved the signiture roll with spicy shrimp(cannot recall name), philly roll, and sweet potato roll (sister loved). 3-Service. Our server was prompt and helpful. 4- Location near the Apollo Theater. 5-Parking was super easy on the street. So So points-It was really cold in the restaurant. I loved my booth, but was freezing the whole time. Additionally, the tables are really close together. I wil be back! Great meal at a cool spot!
(4)
Mike P.

Kyoto is our new favorite sushi restaurant in the city. The sashimi is fresh and melts in your mouth. The Dynamite appetizer is excellent and the signatures rolls a re well conceived and executed. The staff is a little erratic and the route to the facilities could use work but you can't go wrong dining here.
(4)
Kerry D.

This place has changed my mind about sushi. I never had any that I liked and it's my husband's favorite food- so we were both happy to find Kyoto. I purchased a groupon and the night we went was towards the end of the redemption period- so it was packed. I hear that it's always pretty busy, but they do take reservations. The service and food were wonderful. We had a pot sticker appetizer and edamame. Then the rolls came- we over ordered, but managed to eat every piece. I had veggie rolls, but they were anything but typical- really delicious. He had a variety of seafood rolls, but preferred the simpler preparations to the creative options. Very affordable, also love that it's byob!
(4)
Jessica S.

I ate here about a year ago using a Groupon but it looks like I never reviewed it. I remember it being adequate, nothing out of the ordinary but still very good and fresh. So glad I waited until now to yelp about Kyoto because I just had the most incredible experience there. Each month, a group of friends of mine gather for dinner at a BYOB place. This month we chose Kyoto and were granted access to the back private room. We managed to squeeze ten people in there but I think next time we'll stick to the main room, it was a tight squeeze. But perhaps that's what made it so much fun, especially when we shut the doors to slam sake bombs. Our server Wil was hands down one of the best servers I've ever had. He managed to please all ten of us and was super patient with this indecisive, loud, drunk group. Wil basically picked all of our rolls for us and we were super pleased ESPECIALLY with the snowball appetizer and the spicy tuna tataki. He took our cold sake we brought with us and heated it up, consistently brought us out new glasses even after we broke three (sake bomb mishaps), and was nothing but kind to us. I can't say enough good things about him. He even gave us $10 coupons for the next time we dine there (which will be soon). Like I said, the snowball appetizer (holy shit, I could eat three plates of these) and the spicy tuna tataki were the hands down faves of the table but everything we got was spectacular. We'll be back for sure, especially when our bill came out to $27/person including tip/tax.
(5)
Amy Y.

We came here because we got a Restaurant.com coupon. First glance looked pretty good - nice ambience, attentive server, clean. We ordered a variety of appetizers, noodles, and sushi. The sushi (it was the special...spring something) was decent though not standout. Sauce was a bit too strong for the vegetables. The appetizers and other entree were bad. The tofu yakisoba tasted terrible. Not the right type of tofu, seasoning too salty and bland, and wrong type of noodle for yakisoba. I was very disappointed in it, especially given the good reviews. The place felt like a slapstick rendition of sushi, yet another place in Lincoln park that place looks over substance.
(2)
Joanna E.

I'd like to give this place a 4.25 stars just to be precise, but alas, whole numbers only on Yelp. ANYhow, the joint is very "yuppie", which is not to say a bad thing. It's one of the nicer sushi joints in the city I think. Decor is coolly casual yet sophisticated, which is a reflection of its diners. The place is a little small and I can imagine it getting filled up fast and often so reservations are highly recommended! I went on a Tuesday night so I lucked out with getting seated right away at the sushi bar. Service was kick-arse! Our waitress was very nice, attentive, smiley, and made us feel well-attended. I absolutely LOVE awesome service and gotta give big ups when it's due cuz let's face it, good service really is hard to come by nowadays. Plus, having a great server helps the mood of the rest of the dinner. Aaaaand that's my two cents on that. Moving along... Food was ok. Good, but in my opinion just ok. (Maybe I just didn't order the right things...?) I ordered the Sushi platter C and shrimp siu mai and it was decent. I ended up getting one more sushi roll and decided on the salmon-avocado roll. Good move cuz that was what basically made my night. The roll tasted so FRESH! As in the rice was still warm, the fish melted nicely on my tongue and combined nicely with the creamy avocado, and it all came together in this unexpectedly pleasant and oh-so-good way and my eyes rolled back and I thought "Oh my gosh!!!" aaand... It was basically a foodgasm. Really nice end to the dinner. Yup. Conclusion: Cool atmosphere, great service, fresh sushi. Yeah, I'd go again.
(4)
Ang R.

Yeah, this is good stuff. You MUST get the spicy snowball if you go. It's definitely one of my favorite bites. Ever. We did tell them to make it only a little spicy, and it really was the perfect amount of heat. (We sat at the sushi bar, so we were communicating directly with the sushi chef.) Seriously. So good. I'm so glad we went out on a limb and tried it. Otherwise, we got basic sushi rolls, because that's really what we like. The tuna/avocado was delicious, and I think it had something to do with the avocado, which was super yummy, and generously portioned. We ordered the shrimp tempura roll, which we both ate, but neither one of us thought it was the best we ever had (hence the four stars; we love the tempura rolls). And actually, I don't know if I'd want to order it again. We ordered the California roll, which was, again, deliciously full of the avocado. And finally, the spicy tuna, which was WAY TOO spicy for either our tastes. I got three down before I had to quit, and I think he could barely get his down. Just too spicy. But let me say, I did like it. I just couldn't eat very much of it. We did use a groupon for this, our first trip to Kyoto. We don't have any more groupons. But I can say for certain that we'll be going back, because I have to eat that spicy snowball again.
(4)
Brittany M.

I'm normally a die hard Toro Sushi fan (I never go anywhere else now), but with a groupon in hand to this subterranean sushi joint, I figured it was ok (and healthy) to branch out. And I wasn't disappointed. The sushi was really fresh. I tried a couple of their special rolls, which were solid - nothing omg but still very good. It's a good sushi place to know in that bar-heavy area. Still favor Toro, but if you're not feeling an hour+ wait, Kyoto Sushi is a good alternative.
(4)
Jeanus T.

This is by far my favorite sushi restaurant in Chicago! Every dish is unique and tastes great!! Highly recommended! And it's BYOB so it saves on your wallet.
(5)
Holly A.

For my birthday this year, my mother's boyfriend promised me a sushi luncheon. Now, six months down the line, we finally managed to get some time where we were both available, and we snuck in to Kyoto around 9 PM on a Friday. (Tonight, in fact!) I finished eating about two hours ago, and I am still in a state of foodgasm. Yes, it was that good. It probably helped that the twins recognized my companion and we were treated as honored guests at the bar area (I can't say no to free takoyaki), but really, even without freebies, the food was amazing. First off, try the Snowball. Really. It's amazing. They're basically small balls of rice with a piece of tuna on top, with truffle oil and a few other additions. It's a nice subtle appetizer, and incredibly tasty. I could not get over how good they were, and they were only our second treat! (The first being miso - It was good as well, though pretty standard.) Our maki choices were the Orange Sunshine, Dynamite, and the Caterpillar. Caterpillar was our safe bet, and it was phenomenal. The Dynamite roll was also delicious - And huge! But for me, the big treat was really the Orange Sunshine. Salmon and orange is apparently a combination of great greatness, and I couldn't get over how unique the flavor combination was. I highly recommend this roll. My companion didn't enjoy it as much as I did, but I was thoroughly impressed. The twins are great guys - They took care of us all night, and were social despite being insanely busy. They make this look easy, folks, and it's surely not. Our tab came out to about $70 for three huge rolls, a delicious appetizer, miso and mochi for two. Totally reasonable price, and the food was a-mazing. And did I mention the still-lingering foodgasm? I rest my case.
(5)
Maura S.

I've been anxiously waiting to use my Groupon at Kyoto and the experience was everything I hoped for. Food and service were great. We had the Crunchy Salmon, Creamy, and Spider. All were excellent and I would recommend ordering any of the three. The Creamy (despite its ridiculous name) was especially good- wrapped in avocado instead of seaweed. We also had miso soup to start and green tea ice cream to finish the meal and both were good. Kyoto is BYOB which always means extra points in my book. Will be back. I would recommend making a reservation for a Friday or Saturday night- it got pretty busy.
(5)
C. B.

Yep. A year later and after whoring around to different sushi places to try and find one that tops Kyoto...I still haven't. Kyoto, you rock my world. Forever yours, CB xoxoxoxoxo
(5)
Ayden N.

Definitely the best Sushi place in Chicago! I moved to Chicago from Vancouver a few years ago so I have pretty high expectations. Trying to find an acceptable sushi restaurant to meet my standards has not been easy. I have almost tried all the sushi places in the Chicago area, and none can come close to this place. The rolls are absolutely amazing and one stands out...The Creamy Roll. You must try this, and ask for the history of the name ;) The staff here is also very friendly and do all they can to make sure you have a great time.
(5)
Tiffany G.

OUTSTANDING. We did not have a reservation on a busy Saturday evening, but when I phoned to see if they could squeeze us in, rather than be met with the typical "oh, sorry, we're fully booked" or "I can't put your name down on the waiting list until you arrive" - the manager/host was kind enough to reserve us a spot at the sushi bar. That was brownie point number one. When we arrived, the restaurant was bustling and the atmosphere was just what we had hoped for. One of the other hosts on that evening assured us that our sushi bar spot would be ready "in just a few minutes" as he placed our bottle of Delerium on ice and offered us a seat at the bar. Brownie point number two. The rest of the evening followed suit. The Spicy Snowball, Fireball, Summer Dragon and Spicy Tuna Tataki Maki were all EXCELLENT. This is some of the best sushi I have had in ages, and the prices were spot on too. Next time, we might try one of their Love Boats. There were a couple of hiccups here and there with our server, but not the sushi chef, who was working so hard all evening. To note, there is a $5 corkage fee and there is a halfway decent liquor store on the corner if you need to pick up something last minute.
(4)
Amanda D.

This is probably my favorite sushi place in Chicago. If you have not been and you are a a sushi enthusiast, make sure to go and order the following rolls (in order of preference): - Spicy Tuna Tataki (served hot; melts in your mouth) - Crunchy Salmon (sweet with tempura flakes and honey) **The above two are a bit more elaborate than the rest. - Rainbow Maki (all fresh fish with avocado) - Fiesta Maki (fish and a little bit of spice) - Crazy Maki (all fresh fish) You will not be disappointed. I always leave Kyoto happy. The staff is nice and friendly and everything I have tried there has been delicious.
(5)
Eric B.

Bomb. That's all you need. Byob. Delicious. Favorite sushi place.
(5)
Bridget D.

If you're looking for fairly priced sushi in a fun and intimate atmosphere, this is the place! For the price, the sushi is stellar--and BYOB adds to the affordability. Though the outside of the restaurant looks dingy and old, the inside has authentic charm. If you're a fan of the Philly Roll anywhere else, I highly recommend the New York Roll here--fabulous smoked salmon and cream cheese. YUM!
(5)
Jenn C.

We purchased groupons for this place because my family and I LOVE japanese food/sushi... I'm very particular with sushi and preparation of raw fish. So far the hand full of times we've eaten here, I have to say its been consistent. It helps when we purchased several groupons for 25 bucks for a 50 dollar meal. I've had much better sushi in the west coast and east coast and of course in Hawaii, however, so far I have to say the unique creations of their rolls and the quality of their fish seems to be good.
(4)
Katy W.

I would like their spicy tuna tataki every night of the week please. + their Green Tea? Now I feel like I'm healthy. On the last possible night to use my groupon, filled with crowd, their service was great.
(4)
Michael P.

This is not your grandparents sushi joint!!!!! At least, not my grandparents. Of course, my GP's first ate sushi in Japan in the '40s and '50s when Gramps had to go on the lam for a few months every now and then. And Gramps would go tuna fishing in the Bahamas every year. Told me they would catch a tuna, cut a chunk out of its belly and eat it right there on the boat with some soy sauce (yes, I've seen pictures). And Grandma held the world record for a while for catching the largest tuna by a woman - I think it was about 680 pounds and at least ten feet long (yes, I've got the picture in my office). And as a toddler back in the '60's they would bring me and all the grandkids to a place called the Azuma House (on Broadway just south of Foster, it's a Thai place now ...) and we'd have sashimi, sukiyaki and tempura for dinner. And for years my family would seek out the newest sushi house in the city and burbs, with the sushi bar and two Japanese fellows with the Japanese bandanas on their head, who would yell something in Japanese at you when you came and went. And the waitresses would dress like geisha. So you guessed it, I'm a traditionalist when it comes to sushi. And I've eaten a lot of sushi. And I get it, "sushi" to the kids these days means "rolls Rolls ROLLS!!" and not the pure tender slices of sashimi or crafted nigiri. Even the guy who owned the Hilldale sushi place for 20 years is making rolls at his new place in Streamwood. I get it, okay? Kyoto? Modern. Beautiful stark Asian rice paper wall, blue light dÃ©cor. I want to decorate my next apartment like that. Staff was friendly, chef Carlo (guessing he's not Asian) friendly. And rolls. Lots and lots of rolls. I've noticed recently most "sushi" places have the fish pre-cut. So right off the bat I'm not ordering sashimi or nigiri, but I will eat it in a roll. The rolls at Kyoto were delicious, some maybe had too much going on, in fact the simpler ones were better and I would recommend a selection of those with maybe one or two of the fancy-pants rolls. But MAN they were all beautifully presented, and despite the fish being pre-cut, they tasted fresh. And the tempura appetizer was absolutely perfect, crispy, light and the veggies were cooked just the right amount. Conclusion? Modern sushi = Kyoto. Traditional, I'll still go to Naniwa. Six flags. More flags, more fun. (p.s. shoutout to Groupon for last night's dinner)
(5)
O L.

Probably one of the best non-traditional style Sushi restaurant in Chicago. Had their Tekkadon, it was alright. Snowball appetizer was really delicious but very pricy. The crunch salmon, Spicy Tuna Hand-Roll, and caterpillar is to die for.
(5)
Nick S.

I bought 2 groupons for this place which was a really good steal. Its location is easily accessible via public transit. I wouldn't say it's easily handicap accessible (which is something I like to make note of sometime since my mom is handicapped - that said, probably won't be taking her here "sorry mom") It's dimly lit inside, trendy music, you get to watch the guys behind the counter. I've experienced service good and poor, but it's whatever. I like the inventiveness they have on some of the dishes. On a whole they have a good variety. Some stand out dishes were the fiery snowball and the oyster shooter. I've liked all the rolls I've had so far. Actually I like this place a lot more than Oysy (I didn't find any chunks of plastic in my spicy tuna at Kyoto).
(4)
Alison T.

I have been here twice now and both times got the Creamy Roll and the Eightball appetizer. Both are AMAZING and deserve 5 stars. The inside is cute... can definitely get loud because the tables are so close together. HIGHLY recommend reservations on the weekend... otherwise you could wait up to an hour. BYOB but they do charge $5 corkage fee which I think is BS and heard from another Chicago BYOB restaurant owner that it is illegal to charge a corkage fee if you don't have a liquor license. The first time we came in, the service was good. The second time, we had a different waitress and she was not so good - never filled our waters, was half listening when we ordered, and was kind of rude when we asked that she take off a second corkage fee since we only opened one bottle of wine.
(4)
Adriana Z.

I LOVE this place. My sister and husbad go every Thurs and I join in as much as possible. The owner already knows them and is very nice and friendly! This place has the best sushi I've had and everything I've tasted is delicious...its sushi heaven. My favorites are the Tuna tataki (my mouth is watering by just thinking about it) and the creamy. Some great ones we get are the fiesta roll, summer dragon and the eight ball. We also get oh so good ahi bread and dynamite as an appetizer and green tea ice cream for dessert. You HAVE to try it. I highly recommend.
(5)
Robin D.

We went here on a Sunday night with a restaurant.com coupon. I have to say that I don't really think this place is a good value for your money especially if you like sashimi. The slices are paper thin, you heard me I can see through it. Dont order sashimi here, its a rip off. Ive been to more expensive and upscale sushi places and the sashimi servings are fair. If you want the best sashimi value then go to Oysy. The rolls were ok, nothing special but not bad. The worse part is the service, it was wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too slow. I had to hail my server every time to follow up order, order more, get check, etc. OMG, it was a long grueling wait. Never again
(2)
Jeremy D.

Pretty, pretty, pretty good. Had to order the Snowball per the reviews. Did not disappoint. Second app Kani Una I believe was the name. Cold appeteizer w/King Crab...GOOD. Had two rolls than...Miami Roll was rich and quite yummy. Lady thought too spicy...but she's pretty sensitive to it. Get the Red Bean ice cream too. No idea what Red Bean is. I said tasted like chocolate. Lady said strawberry. Whatever, loved it. Not 5 stars due to noise in the place and comfort level. You're kind of packed in. TWSS. TIP: Make a reservation, even on weeknight, for a better seat.
(4)
Michelle L.

Food = 5+ stars Service / experience = 2.5 I'm always up for trying a new sushi spot, so when I saw kyoto on groupon and read the yelp reviews, I was sold! Since 3000+ people bought this groupon, I made reservations... First off the manager or owner, not sure which he was, was so nice and helpful - my husband was in the car and I ran in to see where their parking lot was and if it would be packed, he directed me to it, and said if it was packed that I could take his spot and he met me out there! He went above and beyond... The food - amazing, I think it's some of the best maki I've had. The fireball was so flavorful and delicious, I wish I was able to eat the whole thing by myself. I could really taste the sesame which gave it a different element. By far our fav maki. Spicy snowball app was sooooo good! But the portion size was a lot smaller than I was expecting. I saw the regular snowball on a neighboring table and it was huge, and ours finally came out and it looked so sad and meager in comparison. Not sure if it was just our order (see more below under service) or if the spicy snowball is just smaller than the regular. It was super tasty though. If I was rating on the food alone - 5+ stars! Unfortunately, I have to rate on service (and others) as well. I understand that they were busy, but our waitress sucked big time. Seriously sucked. She ignored us the whole time, and our spicy snowball appetizer came out 10 minutes after we were done with our meal, and only after we flagged her down multiple times to ask about it! I thought appetizers were supposed to be served prior to the entrees?? And then the worst part - there was a late night frat party that came in... Loud, obnoxious large group of guys that wanted a table of 20...happened to sit right next to us with their box of wine and were waiting for our table and another two in order to complete their party. Incredibly rude and loud, they were actually yelling at us and others. Extremely offensive and unnecessary, and it was then that I remembered why we don't come to this area and why we will not be returning (we'll give them another try, but if we see one more frat party never again!).
(4)
Rebecca C.

This is a small restaurant with a long wait....that is totally worth it! I met some girlfriends for dinner on a Friday night and called ahead to make reservations. I'm so glad we did because the place was mobbed when we got there and we only had to wait a few minutes. Everything we ate was amazing, and I especially recommend the Caterpillar. The only thing was we had a yelp check-in special for a California roll and our waitress seemed a little put off by this, but maybe she was just busy. It was great food, great atmosphere and BYOB...can't beat it!
(4)
Rayid G.

Mediocre sushi since the real chefs left to start Kai Zan. The service was very slow but that was understandable given the crowds - three birthday parties at the same time!!! The staff was nice and helpful but couldn't make up for the obnoxiously loud used-to-be-frat-kids and the so-so food. We tried the sashimi platter and a bunch of the rolls and very few things stood out. I went to kyoto first time several years ago and decided to give it another shot but this is it for me.
(2)
Nikki Y.

After writing a review for Ringo right across the street, a fellow Yelper told me try Kyoto. Good suggestion, ma'am! While Kyoto is not an all-you-can-eat, it serves some great sushi. Definitely a bit more upscale than Ringo, but not bad in price at all. If anybody knows anything about me, I know my sushi. And, I'm happy to say that Kyoto does too. Although it looks like a hole in a wall as you walk downstairs to the entrance, you'll see that it's actually a vast space. The decor is very Japanese modern with some of the more traditional woods and whatnot. I really like that it doesn't try to be super pretentious (because we all know that drives the prices way up). I came on a Sunday afternoon when it was super quiet, nothing more than a few single moms and their children. And the good thing about Kyoto is that it's actually pretty good for kids (not that I am in any way, shape, or form headed toward that direction), but I like that the decor suggests that sushi isn't just a "grown-up" thing. Reminds me of my own childhood. Back to the food, their specialty rolls were a real treat, even those with cooked fish (I don't usually go for those). The textures, freshness, and taste were spot on. The service was really great, the waitress was extremely friendly and was helping some of the sushi noobs around my table. She also was sure to stop by whenever she could to refill our drinks and make sure we were all doing great. I think Kyoto is a great establishment; I just wish I lived by there so I can go more often. But I've yet to find THE sushi restaurant in this city to call home. There's a lot of quality and variety out there, guys!
(4)
Yvonne Y.

Loved the fresh sashimi there. Had the chirashi and sashimi platter and both were delicious. If you're a sushi expert, then skip it since they slice it too thinly. Everyone's dressed up there and my walking in with my baby stroller... so not cool
(4)
Matt T.

Not a big fan of this place. After seeing a play with my wife at Victory Gardens we had a sushi craving for a late dinner and looked on Yelp for some reviews. Kyoto was the top hit and we liked what we read. I did like the vibe and how Kyoto was tucked away on a dark part of Lincoln Ave as you walk down the stairs to the basement restaurant. The place was very loud with a lot of DePaul students and Lincoln Parkers. Not our typical kind of atmosphere. Service was pretty good and fairly attentive but the reason for the two stars is, the sushi is just not very good and overpriced. My wife reminded me that the price is because of the neighborhood and the quality of food can be expected. College students and younger folks are used to mediocre sushi when it's all around them in these areas. There's so many better hole in the wall sushi spots in the city that are cheaper, fresher and more delicious. When the sushi came out on the platters I was shocked at how small the rolls were compare to other places I've been and the quality in appearance and flavor was flat out not there. The food was a huge disappointment and we won't be going back. We should have know not to go here but we were too hungry to stop the train.
(2)
Lisa T.

Kyoto is my favorite sushi in Lincoln Park. The Crunch Salmon Maki is out of this world and I've literally never had a roll I didn't enjoy here. This is probably my favorite place to start off a fun Friday or Saturday night. Yes - Kyoto is PACKED on Friday/Saturday. Make a reservation. Yes - Kyoto is LOUD... people are having fun. Deal with it. Don't forget to BYOB!
(5)
E L.

Phenomenal service. We were a group of 4 with no reservation on a freezing Saturday night. The line was out the door, but the hostess was more than gracious. A twenty to thirty minute wait? Maybe. So, we left our name & number and said we'd be back, but really, I didn't think we would. She called back about 20 minutes later, after we decided on Matsuya up the street, but were still circling for parking. Kyoto has a parking lot. The food was fantastic. We had a few appetizers and a variety of nigiri and maki. They did make a few mistakes with our order, like doubling an appetizer and 3 maki, but after we mentioned we already received them, our server immediately offered to wrap it up for us to-go since we were stuffed (sadly, I've been to places where servers have tried to convince a table of vegetarians that they really did order the beef). We used a groupon, but it didn't affect service. Everyone was so friendly and despite the 150 decibel environment, I really enjoyed the experience. It's BYOB ($5.00 cork fee) and there's a liquor store across the street on Sheffield.
(4)
Janet F.

Kyoto really makes the grade because I strolled in with a group of five 15 minutes before closing, and they were still super friendly and kind and served us even though we didn't get out of there until almost an hour after closing (needless to say, they got an epic tip). The food was outstanding. Each one of my rolls was so flavorful! At so many sushi restaurants the more basic rolls they make lots and lots of get to tasting bland, but here I could taste the quality and care, even though we were totally keeping these guys open. Other reviewers have said how wonderful the food is, so I won't reiterate. So don't intentionally keep them open late, but if you want to grab something and you're cutting it close, these guys will help you out!!
(5)
Adam R.

The food knocked me on my rear end. Upon reading the yelp reviews before hand, I knew to order the spicy snow something and the flaming dynamite. The pieces were amazing. Rarely do rave about individual rolls. BUT WOW Although the meal was offset by the dreaded dining room temperature. The place was warm to put it politely. Fortunately the food was amazing. Maybe next time I go, which I hope is soon, I go on an off night or an earlier time.
(5)
Sara P.

I came here with a groupon. Overall, the sushi was decent, but it did not sufficiently blow my socks off to guarantee a return visit. The edamame was ok, but lacked enough salt, so was a bit flavorless. The miso is standard. The snowball was the best thing we ordered, and was definitely unique. Overall, decent. I'll look for the next groupon...
(4)
Alex F.

A coupon brought me in here, but on my way in I saw that they have half price rolls on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The food was all very good (had the Sushi A and the chicken teriyaki) and the decor is pretty cool. I can't give it the full 5 because the service was iffy at times, but maybe they were too busy attending to their foolish DePaul friends who filled the room.
(4)
ZZ K.

HOLLY COW FOLKS!!!! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!! Ok, so one yelper e-mailed me and said I should try Kyoto, and thank goodness she did, otherwise I don't think I would have known about this gem in Lincoln Park! Its in a strange looking building, kind of like a mall, and is downstairs. We went here last night and the place was pretty empty, which is completely fine with me and I don't take that as a bad sign, especially during the week. After coming down the stairs we were greeted (by a waving cat but also by a hostess) and sat at a booth in the corner. There was a bar (stocked with glasses) in the front with a flat screen TV and a football game was on (I thought that was a bit weird, but we didn't really pay attention). Our server came cover right away with waters and a small tasty cucumber salad for us to share. It was good and we liked the smoked sesame seeds. Based on the reviews that I looked at prior to us going, we ordered the following maki rolls: Creamy, Dynamite, Summer and Spicy Tuna The rolls were tasty and fresh. When I tried creamy...I closed my eyes and felt like I was in heaven...it was so dangerously good, I told my boyfriend I needed a moment of silence! I think I grabbed the table and even curled my toes...it was that good!!! We ordered one to go so we can enjoy it today (in privacy) lol. I saw one of the sushi chefs watching me, I smiled and gave him a thumbs up and he smiled and thanked me. I wondered if he gets that reaction all the time when people try creamy... We enjoyed everything and the server was very friendly and even gave us 10% off cards for our next visit! She knew we would definitely be back... BTW - This place is BYOB and they have free customer parking in the back of the restaurant/mall. We had driven around 30min looking for parking.
(5)
Keith A.

Great and innovative sushi place. BYO, friendly staff, clean, and great food. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Laura C.

I also used a Groupon at Kyoto and it was a great experience. Since we were getting a deal, we loaded up. As others have mentioned, the Creamy Roll is AMAZING. My boyfriend and I shared it both times. SO good. But it comes with a hefty price tag... I think it was $14. But still worth it. :) The staff is really friendly. I liked this place!
(4)
Lisa L.

The food was awful, minus the miso soup. The service is phenominal though, so nice and polite, we ordered take out and they even gave us green tea on the house while we were waiting for it. I wish I could say better things about their sushi though, based on other reviews I thought it was going to be great, but it was completely lackluster and bland. Honestly, I wish I could have a better review for it, but I only got take out, maybe when you dine in, combined with the fact its BYOB makes it better. On food perspective alone, there is much better sushi downtown.
(2)
Mary S.

3.5 - 4 Fresh veggie sushi, great ambiance, byob with corkage ($5 or so). Parking in the back is a nice plus. Crowded so try to make a reservation. Seating and waiting are both a tight squeeze so if you like plenty of elbow space, this might not be your cup of tea. It's very romantic, though, if you don't mind your neighbors possibly hearing your sweet nothings. There's one very privately sectioned off booth that seemed to seat about 10. The rolls were really good, but stay away from the fried tofu. It was scary stanky and didn't taste much better. Aside from the tofu, everything was great.
(4)
Philip D.

Came here with a bitty because of a sweet groupon deal, 45 dollars worth of sushi for 22 bucks Had the popular rolls, fireball, snowball, and one spicey one - VERY solid place. Delicious sushi. The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is there wasn't anything super special to make it stand out, but hands down in the top 90th percentile. I've lived in Japan for a year, and have also had more sushi than most people have had hot meals. Our waiter was knowledgeable, a little MIA because it was busy. SOLID 4 stars!
(4)
Mike J.

This place is a solid 4.5. I always envision the Yelp review I would write as I am in a restaurant but never actually make it to Yelp to finally write the review. I enjoyed this meal so much I decided to go for it..... We used a $22 groupon that covered $45 worth of sushi. My boyfriend and I shared the Love Boat and it was SO GOOD! Everything was perfect. Our server, David, was totally kind and didn't give us any attitude about using a Groupon. The busser that was working was so on point! Water was always full, dishes cleared promptly, and extra napkins provided. The sushi itself was unique and tasty- a few of the rolls had seared fish on them which offered an interesting take on traditional sushi taste. For a $5 corkage fee they brought an ice bucket for our white wine and two glasses. Excellent place- can't wait to go back!
(5)
Tian Y.

This entire little strip of storefronts kinda feels like a little time capsule in the middle of LP - a little eerie feeling and super quaint and old. That alone always made me want to eat here. My friend also kept saying she heard good things about it, so finally this week we stopped by for sushi. The interior is really warm and cozy with dim lights but still has a modern feel to it. I kinda expected it to have more traditional decor and a super chill atmosphere so... That'll teach me to judge a restaurant by its storefront, right? :( it definitely feels like a good place to bring a bottle of wine and catch up with friends over casual sushi on a weekday. Most of the diners we saw were doing exactly that. We wanted a fish focused night so my go to is always the sashimi platter. The summer dragon roll stuck out to me so ordered that and a more filling tonkatsu entree to round out the dinner. Waitress was friendly, food came speedily, but it wasn't good. The fish wasn't really fresh even by Chicago standards. And for the advertised "20 pieces" I think a few tamago were included in that count, and some pieces sliced to about half the typical size. I don't think I've ever received such a stingy sashimi plate for the price I paid. The tonkatsu was crispy, but the inside was like spongy dry. The summer dragon roll was pretty good in flavor, esp since the sauces distracted me from the low fish quality. I would wait for Mitch at Toro for hours over eating here. Fresh fish, good flavors, and more affordable/reasonable prices just a 10min walk away. After eating here, the only really great thing I have to say about Kyoto is still... Just the storefront :/
(3)
Katie E.

We live close to Kyoto and let me tell you, this is our favorite sushi place in Lincoln Park. We had a bad experience at Nori on Diversey, and Ringo was mediocre. Kyoto is hands down the best and most fresh sushi in the area. We have been there close to 5 times in the last 4 months, and have never had a bad experience. The staff is friendly and attentive, the decor is fantastic and we have yet to try the sushi boat, but that will be our next purchase! BYOB too, how much better can it get?!
(5)
Lucas W.

Came here this weekend because it's nearby and had no wait on a Saturday night. What sushi place in Chicago has no wait on a Friday or Saturday night?! At no point during my visit was there a line. The atmosphere is fantastic. You go down half a flight of stairs into this very warm and welcoming restaurant with a nice sushi bar at the back and a TV over the normal bar at the front of the restaurant. Something about the place, just a great vibe to it. The sushi was good, not the best sushi I've ever had, but pretty good. The rolls were all strong, none of the rolls stood out as uniquely impressive, but I did quite like the two spicy rolls we got, I believe the Fiesta and Fireball (although both could use more spice if you ask me). And I like their price points as well. The fish was good, though there could've been a bit more of the fish. Also got an unagi roll and salmon roll. Both were pretty standard, can't go wrong with those options. The lady next to us at the sushi bar had clearly been drinking too much before coming to sushi dinner, but the servers all did their best to accommodate her while taking the lighter side of the situation with my gf and myself. Overall, I'd go back, especially since the price point and service was good. By the way, check Groupon, apparently they've had some good deals
(4)
Tamir G.

Nice little joint. Great selection of rolls. Spicy snowball was the one! Make sure to bring you own alcoholic beverage as as this is a byob place.
(4)
Daniel Y.

My evening date with my wife started off so well and showed promise, but began to fall off the rails after placing our order. I was pleased to find out that there was parking in the back (thx for the tip Yelpers!) and the interior of the restaurant set a nice mood for an evening date. My wife and I were quickly seated and our waitress was very pleasant. We went with her recommendation of trying the spicy snowball appetizer (which really should be listed under rolls...) What a wonderful start and treat. Super white tuna dipped in truffle oil and lightly seared? Just as delicious as it sounds. We played the waiting game from there. My wife noticed that our rolls were made toute de suite and were placed on the side table ready for our waitress to serve it to us. We must have stared at our plate for 10-15 minutes before our waitress picked it up from the sushi bar and served it to us. I felt bad that she seemed to be the only waitress while the place was quickly filling up on a Thursday evening. Why only one waitress for all the tables in this place?? I ordered the steak teriyaki combo and my wife ordered a few rolls - spicy scallop, spicy tuna, and spider. Everything was so nicely plated and looked great. The rolls tasted okay, but my mouth started to dry out with each bite. I was starting to drink water like I was in the desert. The rice was drying my mouth and every bite was a chore. Was this old rice? Was the rice not seasoned properly? Probably a little of both... it just ruined what could have been very good rolls. The steak teriyaki was medium done just like I asked, and it had a nice pink in the middle of each slice, but here was another area where it was *DRY*. Why?? I really wanted to give this place a shot with how well it started, but lack of service (only one waitress??) and food not made on the mark are two strikes right there.
(3)
Phil S.

We went out for my birthday on Wednesday night Dec. 17th & had a taste for Japanese food. I looked on Groupon & saw Kyoto Japanese Restaurant. When we found the address it was difficult to tell if there was a restaurant or if it was open. I had to cross Lincoln Avenue and check the times on the door. In talking to the owner Tony he told me that the building has restrictions on putting signage on the building. I have lived in Chicago my entire life and driven by this location hundreds of times without even realizing it was there. (Thanks Groupon). The current owner has been at this location for about 8 years. This restaurant has been there approximately 25 years and is worth checking out. After realizing there was a restaurant downstairs. This restaurant had a very nice mix with tastefully done colors, artwork & shoji screens. Surprisingly the restaurant was fairly crowded on a Wednesday night which could account for the relatively slow service. My wife and I both ordered combination platters in a bento box that came with Seaweed salad, crab meat pieces, vegetable & shrimp tempura, edamame, California roll with ginger & wasabi and a choice of meats. (Very nice presentation). My wife got the salmon teriyaki (which was very good) & I got the New York Strip teriyaki which was also good, but had a few poor choices on the meat as they had gristle that made these pieces unchewable. Overall the meal was pretty good with nice size portions & a nice variety of items in the combination platter. The waitress did bring me a flan with caramelized sugar on it for my birthday which was nice. There are a couple of other things that future diners should be aware of. The restaurant has free parking in the rear and has a BYOB policy as we found out later as this was our first time. Ambiance 4.5 Food. 4.0 Food presentation 4.5 Service. 3.0 Overall 4.0
(4)
Amanda M.

More of a 3.5. Space was fine and cute...pretty standard looking sushi joint. Have to say our server was very nice and helpful who checked on us regularly. Our group of 4 was there Sunday evening and place was about half occupied. We got the snowball, seared tuna and beef asparagus rolls to start. The seared tuna and snowball were both delicious. The beef rolls were quite good as well and filling, as there were about 8 pieces of beef, as I recall. I got the negi hamaci, sake make, craky maki, and spider maki rolls. Wished there were more of the soft shell crab as it was quite good. However, the use of imitation crab really hindered the roll. This isn't a fancy schmancy place so it wasn't a huge deal. However, the fish in most of the rolls were nearly non-existent...super small pieces surrounded by much rice. I'm accustomed to seeing more rice than fish in places, but this one was even more extreme. The taste of all rolls were good though. Fish and rice seemed fresh. After the apps came, I added 2 oyster shoots to our order. Also wanted uni nigiri, but they were out of uni. The shooters took a long time to come. We were all done with our food and our table was cleared out when the shooters finally came. It came in a cute champagne flute. This was very good, as the balance of flavors and textures were quite perfect. Overall, this is a solid go-to spot as fish is fresh and while the maki rolls may not be the best, this place isn't as expensive as others either. Also, there are some definite outstanding items at this place. Service was also pretty good.
(3)
Anna C.

Honestly, you should try Kyoto at least once! Everything the chef prepared was delicious. From the very first bite of the yellowtail -- I knew that I was going to have a great meal! (and I normally don't order anything other than salmon and unagi, but everything I tried tonight was amazing!) be a little adventurous and try something new! It wasn't just a piece of fish on some rice but a beautiful piece of art that the chef delicately put together mmm I really enjoyed all the individual sushi (especially the salmon roe!) Great service, very attentive Awesome Atmosphere Free Parking Very accommodating when reserving seats and asking to be seated at the sushi bar Last, but not least, food was excellent!
(5)
M N.

Survey says: worth it if you have the groupon as a table of 2. Summary: would rank this place slightly above Sushi Para for quality but below Sushi Toro. For non-groupon prices, I'd rather have the wait at Sushi Toro for tastier sushi. Pro: Takes reservations BYOB Con: $5 corking fee (Sushi para has none) No all you can eat option Little flexibility in the roll options for boats and platters (not shocking but would be nice to pick 3 out of 5 or something) Really enjoyed the salmon roll with avocado, spicy mayo, honey, and tempura crunch. Would order again.
(4)
Megan S.

I was using a groupon. It's a quint garden level restaurant. The food and service were great. I've had better sushi but it was worth the groupon.
(3)
Dena O.

Some of the best sushi I've had in Chicago. Really nice staff. Would give it a 4.5 if that was possible.
(4)
Lauren L.

Great place for sushi and BYOB! All of the rolls included in the spicy boat were outstanding. A little intimate restaurant with some friendly staff and fast sushi chefs. There is a groupon going on right now and our waiter had no problem taking care of of bill with it. Don't be deterred by the groupon as a way of driving business because of poor food because that is not the case at all! I think the location is just not ideal! I also ordered the Philadelphia roll which was creamy and had scallions, very delicious. Then the bowl of udon noodles and vegetables was great too! No complaints!
(5)
Jaci Y.

Kyoto Sushi is alright. We went there for a date last night and we had a groupon. Thank goodness for a groupon because I wouldn't have wanted to eat there without one. Prices are high for dinner perhaps their lunch specials are better. We liked their snow ball it was delicious. Waitress is friendly however, I did notice whenever the sushi guys busted out sushi the waitress for some reason just didn't serve up to the tables right away. The sushi would be sitting on a table for a good 10 minute or more before it gets served. I feel the Japanese style food there wasn't meant for picky Asians like me. It's good and fine for people who are willing to pay expensive prices for American style Japanese food. That's my opinion. $20 and up for a bento and it was just okay.
(3)
Mary N.

Just had the love boat and I'm in love!!! Jack was our waiter and was very knowledgable and friendly. We'll be coming back!
(5)
Bridget S.

We came here on a weekday night for dinner. It's BYOB so we picked up some beer to have along with our meal. The decor is nice and it looks like they get good business. The prices were as expected for a sushi restaurant and the menu had plenty of options. We had takoyaki for our appetizer which was quite tasty, and we ordered an assortment of Maki rolls and nigiri. The quality of everything was good, but the service was AMAZING. The staff was friendly and attentive the entire time we were there. I definitely would not mind coming back here.
(5)
Jackie M.

Love the sushi here! The creamy roll is amazing as well as many of their other rolls. The restaurant is in a basement that makes it very dark and intimate which I like. It is also a BYOB with a $5 cork charge for the whole table, cheapest I've seen in the city. They have a Groupon out frequently that I would suggest buying!
(5)
Tera D.

Kyoto was good! We had been meaning to try it for a long time, and we weren't disappointed. There's no doubt, this place is popular! I would highly recommend a reservation, at least if you are going on a weekend. We went on a Friday and boy do they pack you in there. Not much for ambiance, but the service was good, the sushi was tasty and it's BYOB! While none of the rolls totally blew me away, all were good and the prices were reasonable. If I'm in the hood, I would definitely go back.
(3)
Richard O.

A 5 star Japanese restaurant, tough to find in Chicago. Lost a star for the cheap wooden chopsticks. Food was excellent!
(4)
David P.

I tried the spicy sushi boat by myself just to get idea of the different flavors these guys could create..... I wasn't impressed..... Most of the rolls seemed similar..... I've traveled the world and have tried sushi from everywhere...... Not that impressed.... Wish I could say it was better..... It wasn't....
(3)
Kevin M.

I really wanted to like Kyoto, and I'd heard it was one of the better BYOB sushi places around. We had a group of 4 on a Thursday night and the atmosphere was actually really enjoyable - service was good, music wasn't too loud, tables were comfortable. I would give the overall service/ambience 4 stars, but we just didn't have a good experience with the food. BYOB Pro Tip - there is a $5 cork fee even if you just bring beer. I thought this was a sly move - not sure if this is common elsewhere? Apps: gyoza and scallops. gyoza was actually really good, but small portions. Scallops were rubbery and absolutely doused in spicy mayo to make up for their mediocrity. Sushi: we did all rolls, 3 specialty and 3 "basic". Only 2 of the 6 were good. The spicy tuna was reaaaaally fishy, the philly was basically like biting into a whole cucumber, and one of the specialty rolls (forget which, but it was very spicy) was actually unbearable to eat. The whole time I was thinking, "thank God we didn't order sashimi or nigiri" since the actual quality of the fish just wasn't good. Accidentally bought 2 groupons...so I guess I'll be back. But I'm getting udon,
(2)
Gabriela V.

The food is good but, HORRIBLE service as soon as my party and I walked into the restaurant. The hostesses was rude and short and the waiter took forever to take our order and bring our food. Down the street from Kyoto Sushi Bar there is an amazing sushi bar called Ringo the employees are friendly and welcoming and the restaurant has a run feel to it and I've never had to wait over 10 minutes for food I highly recommend this spot.
(2)
Patrick O.

Been going here since we moved to Lincoln Park (5 years ago) it's our favorite sushi spot in the city. It's very consistent (except on Wednesday's, we got old fish once...), and is probably what most people think of when they think of a 'good sushi place'. We suggest the Creamy & the edamame- lots of other people have suggested the snowball, so we'll try that tonight!
(5)
Radha K.

My last review was in April of 2013 and we've been coming here whenever we can (Groupon or not) to get the Spicy Sushi Boat. Don't think that two people with determination can't put it down! The service is still wonderful - you're never rushed in/out and the staff is very friendly. The food is obviously great as well. Not sure if we should expand our horizons and get something other than the spicy sushi boat, but we have never gone wrong with it. I will love this place 4eva.
(5)
Tony M.

This place was perfect after seeing a show at the Apollo Theater next door. Their sushi rolls are moderately priced and delicious. It is BYOB and a nice quiet spot for a date!
(4)
Joann V.

Sushi craving kinda night so decided to see if there were any good Groupon deals, found this place so decided to try it out. We tried their Spicy Boat, honestly the first time where the sushi was actually spicy-loved it! Our waitress was awesome too, so friendly and sweet. Definitely going back. Also, BYOB.
(4)
Ben C.

Japanese/French couple living in Chicago was searching for a good place to eat real sushi & more. We were disappointed in other so called "japanese" restaurant where you find no Japanese staff, so our expectation was high with Kyoto Sushi R. In general, this is pretty good, service and interior as well). Thanks Yelpers and Groupon.
(3)
Fady E.

Solid 5 stars! Amazing sushi, great little place with a cozy feel, and excellent service. What more can you ask for? A break in the price? Well, you're in luck, it's on Groupon and over a thousand bought and I wouldn't be surprised to see 1000 more 5 star reviews if they all went on Yelp to review it.
(5)
Benjamin U.

Had the traditional boat. Pretty simple and tasty. Bit over priced but a groupon is usually available which makes it worth it.
(3)
Nikhil M.

Came here on a Groupon with the girlfriend. The place was pretty busy and we liked the interiors. Quite cosy for a cold Chicago night. We had two of the signature rolls including the creamy roll and the crunchy salmon roll but they weren't anything to write home about. I also tried the udon which was decent. Service was slow.
(3)
Bridget C.

I like Kyoto for many reasons, but also dislike it for some. As far as the quality of the fish, it is fantastic. Really fresh cuts, beautiful presentation, incredible flavor. I really like the ambiance of the restaurant. On the outside, it looks a bit dull and boring, but the inside is surprisingly nice. It is dark, which I enjoy for a relaxing meal. I have been there twice now, both times I used a groupon. With the groupon, it is a great value, but without the coupon, it is more expensive than other sushi restaurants that I frequent. It could be that I order sashimi, which is usually a bit pricey compared to regular sushi rolls. The thing that bothers me the most about this restaurant is that both times that I went, I made special requests as far as fish preference. Both times, they made mistakes with my orders. They did fix the mistake, but on the second occasion that I was there, the server attempted to blame me for the mistake. I even asked my boyfriend if I had misspoke when I placed my order, and he was also positive that I had made my usual requests. I even offered to pay extra for my preferences. They also forgot to bring my side of rice both times. I know these things are picky, but if I don't seem to have these service issues at other sushi restaurants in the area. I love the ambiance and the food. I do not love the service and the prices. Would I go here again? Yes, but only if I had the groupon. It is not worth it to me without it.
(3)
Rich H.

I come here with my girlfriend and sit at the sushi bar and get BYOB wine tipsy. So we're off to a good start. Personally I'm a low key, traditional sushi guy. Little veggie, little tuna, you know. She on the other hand likes these high end Cadillac rolls with caviar and 24k gold flake. Together we have tried probably everything on the menu. Do try: tofu, sweet potato and Miami. Sometimes they spell out "PARTY" on the Miami roll which mami and papi like. Do not try: plum.
(5)
Vivienne H.

We came here on Saturday night, it's surprisingly easy to find a parking spot. Good atmosphere and wonderful service. We started with Miso Soup and had Traditional Boat, all great and fresh, but I think we should try Spicy Boat next time since looks like everyone ordered it. Btw check the Groupon before you come.
(4)
Hana M.

Seriously, we have been going to this place for over 5 years!!! I absolutely love the staff especially the owner and the three sushi chefs (V.E.B.) Let me tell you, my fiance and I do not order off the menu since we have had practically EVERYTHING in the menu and they are fantastic!! Especially the snowball and kaki fried. After our 3rd time coming here we ALWAYS get off menu makis and they are BEYOND amazing!! We just left and Im yelping this place... Know why? Because I had the BEST maki of my life. Had this smoked salmon specialty role and it just melts in your mouth amazing. There's not a name for it but order it. Its sooooo good that I am STILL talking about it. Overall this place is amazing because of the food and the people. I will always come here when it comes to sushi. And please, trust the chefs and just say make whatever. One of the best decision you'll ever have in your life!
(5)
Anli C.

Our group of four came for dinner on a random early Tuesday night, expecting quick service and Americanized sushi. Surprisingly they managed to miss that fairly average expectation. The service was sporadic, missing our request for extra wasabi, forgetting the tempura sauce, mistaking our order of dynamite maki for a dragon, etc... The maki..., well, it's the sushi buffet quality at the most. It looked amateur frankly. The taste was alright, but far from 'great'. Two of us ordered Katsu combos, which were exactly what you would expect from shopping mall food court. I have to give them credit for the good value since the combo came with variety of seaweed salad, california roll, edamame. tempura as sides, but again, you will see that from food court vendors, who'd joyfully pass you samples of deep fried pork... Might have missed something from this place given some good reviews here, but sorry, not my cup of tea.
(2)
Sandy R.

Kyoto is my go to sushi place. It's nothing fancy just a great location with really fresh fish. Another plus is easy street parking. The service is friendly. They have some interesting sashimi options like the stuffed tomato which is crab inside raw tuna and dynamite nigiri - a spicy scallop wrapped with raw salmon. Their oyster shooters are fabulous.
(5)
C D.

The staffs are very friendly. The atmosphere is very nice. Friend and I went to the place during the weekdays and it was pretty busy. We ordered an appetizer, udon noodles, and sushi. The foods were just mediocre. Nothing was really special.
(3)
Kate K.

We originally stopped in on a Groupon deal and have made this our weekly spot - we even made reservations for Valentines day! The sushi is delish. The atmosphere makes this place. It is a step down from the road so it's cozy. It features trendy Asian decor and lighting. There's also a huge TV. We can have a classy sushi date AND catch the hawks game?! Did I mention this place BYOB?! Ohhhh, Kyoto. Rock on.
(5)
Sarah B.

I had dinner here tonight, so I'm writing this review while it is fresh in my head. My friend and I had a pleasant experience here tonight. We were able to pick a table at one of the booths and decided to order a sushi boat. The Tako Yaki came out first and was nice and hot and yummy. Our server was friendly and came to check on us a few times throughout our meal. Between the server and the other waitstaff, our glasses of water were never left empty. The Love Boat was comprised of a good variety of rolls, but I can't remember the names of them all. My favorite was the one that had the seared fish on top, what I liked best was that it was seared perfectly and didn't have any taste from the food torch. I didn't know this place is BYOB, but since we will be coming back to eat here again, we will likely bring some wine with us next time. I look forward to coming back and trying a greater variety of what the menu has to offer. I also liked that the lighting was dim and since it's downstairs from street level, it had a really cozy feel to it.
(4)
Bonita G.

I've been here several times before and had great service and food. But last night, after being on the road for 6 hours of post-holiday travel, we decided to go for sushi and got here at 9:15, knowing that they closed at 10pm. We figured, hey, we'll be done by 10! We're starving, we can order quickly, it shouldn't be a problem, right? Wrong. The host acted like we had no right to be there as soon as we walked in, telling us they were closing. When i pointed out they were open until 10, he backtracked and made the excuse of, "we don't want to rush you." Um, dude, hello! There's ONE other table here! PLEASE TAKE MY MONEY, i want to give it to you!! I tried to tell him how hungry we were and how we could order quickly (so as not to be a burden to the waitstaff and chefs) but at that point it just felt like I was begging. We left, very disgruntled, and walked over to Nori where they also (politely) let us know they were closing at 10, but we were still seated and ordered without problems. Our service there was great. Sorry Kyoto, maybe next time you'll be a little nicer to a customer who is basically begging you to take her money.
(2)
Nikki P.

First off, I'm a Sushi SNOB and have eaten at so many sushi spots. KYOTO...IS....are you listening?? Kyoto is the BEST place in ILLINOIS for Sushi. Point blank. I have never had sushi as close to the freshness and deliciousness as Kyoto offers. I went for my first time a few years ago with a current BF and we had a Groupon. We walked in and they just opened so it wasn't busy. They suggested we sit by the sushi bar since it was out first time there. Now I'm a chef so I heard there were two brothers who make these creations. Carlo and Melvin were making sushi right in front of us...what a great time. They were sooo sweet and gave us some free tastings of a few rolls since they heard it was our first time there. I think we tried the Spicy Snowball, Dynamite, Eight Ball, and something else. We were ALREADy impressed. Though we love sushi I have a small stomach. But we loooove Spicy and had our sights on the Spicy Boat. Spicy Boat ($65) includes: Fireball, Spicy Tuna Tataki, Fiesta, Spicy Shrimp Tempura, Dynamite, Spicy Cruinchy Salmon. We get this EVERY TIME. This review would be a million paragraphs if I described each roll. Just say I have never had a roll where I could taste EVERY SINGLE ingredient in EVERY roll. I was just blown away. The flavors pop in your mouth, fish is so fresh, and it's actually spicy (I'm also a spice freak). I got a piece of Sake, Maguro, Super White Tuna, and Tako Nigiri. All fresh and delicious. We were going to order an appetizer but were told we were ordering a lot. They are always right. I got 2-3 pieces of Nigiri and the Boat and I ususally bring 8-15 pieces home, And man-o-man the sushi the next day tatses like you just got in fresh (shows that they use great fish). I am DYING to try the Creamy Roll Since I looove Avocado but am alwayts stuck with the Spicy Boat. But sometime soon. The place is a little expensive yes...but I go 2-3 times a year and indulge in every piece of sushi when I'm eating. The atmosphere is relaxed, the staff is great. They even gave us a free Creme Brulee for my mom's birthday when she came in from NY for her birthday. Sooo sweet :) Period; if you want the best and the freshest sushi EVER...go to Kyoto. You will NOT regret it.
(5)
Sarah H.

Well, I don't think I'll be back. To state my bias, I did get the flu the next day; you know how that goes, ending up hating whatever you ate last. I just was not overly impressed. We ordered the Creamy, Miami and lula rolls and I did not enjoy them nearly as much as I have at other places. Fundamentally, they sounded good on the menu but didn't deliver on being a worthy-of-second visits.
(2)
Laura M.

Love, love, love. We come here at least a few times a month. The food is consistently top notch as is the service. Miami, Sunshine, Creamy, and Sweet Potato are some of our delicious standbys. Tried the Lula tonight and it was awesome also. Becky is a terrific waitress and they always have a Groupon.
(5)
Jess P.

"Maybe I'm in be wrong place?" "Maybe I ordered the wrong thing?" "Is my waitress intoxicated?" "Where tf is the bathroom?" These are just a few questions that I had to ask myself when I ate here. Let me tell you: the sushi is average at best, the bathroom is pretty much in the kitchen, and yes I'm pretty sure my waitress was because despite practically yelling at her from across the restaurant to take our order after waiting 36 minutes after sitting down, she looked at me like she didn't know where she was. Then the food came and it was ok. Not memorable, but the shrimp tempura roll was ok. Just everything was ok. Would I return? Probably not. There are so many better sushi places in this neighborhood alone that I wouldn't waste money or time going somewhere that was so average I forgot the name of the restaurant until I saw it pop up on here.
(2)
Jenn H.

Wonderful BYO gem! Went here with a couple of coworkers after work on a Thursday. It was surprisingly busy even at 5:30 - 6, which is always a good sign. We ordered edemame, pork pot stickers and snowball. I'm not a huge fan of tuna, but my friends loved the snowball. I had the shrimp tempura and sweet potato rolls (I'm kind of a boring sushi eater)... but I loved the sweet potato roll. It was one of the best that I've ever had. Our waitress was also very attentive and friendly. Great neighborhood place; glad I finally tried it!
(4)
Dave D.

Really good place for sushi, great for dates since its underground and just kind of a cool environment. Fresh fish and their boat menu items are perfect for groups. Not the most original sushi creations but they make up for it with decent prices and a super friendly staff. The owner is one of the nicest guys you'll meet. Used to be my favorite sushi place in the city before I found Sumo Sushi on Sheffield.
(4)
Valerie Z.

I love love love this place. Groupon first got us in the door but the food and service brought us back! This last time did not disappoint. Our server was so sweet and so great/accommodating! !! I feel horrible i don't remember her name but it was something like Camille?? I just know it started with a c and had 2 L's lol. We will most Def be back time and time again! I will suggest this place over all others! BYOB is great too :) advice though get a reservation if it's during prime dining hours.
(5)
Minal J.

I think I have had sushi all over the world, from Japan to California and all the way to New York. I do believe I have tried almost all the sushi places here in Chicago. By far, this is the best sushi place in Illinois. It's sushi is out of this world! Their presentation and their dedication is unreal. I can never get enough! I would recommend the sexy hot mama, whch is my favorite! The pink lady rolls are also yummy. All their sushi comes out picture perfect and absolutely delicious! I am hooked!
(5)
Benjamin D.

Too much mayo and ponzu sauces. I know that makes me a sushi snob but what can you do? It's also a tad dark and has a basement feel to its which isn't great. I do like the boats though! Nostalgia.
(2)
Jason S.

I've been here a few times. The service is always great. lately, when I go out for sushi, I've been ordering strictly sashimi (all fish no rice) because I want to taste the flavor of the fish and avoid refined grains. On my most recent visit on 1/29/15 I had the mixed sashimi platter, which is chef's choice of 20 pieces of sashimi. In the past, I've been skeptical to order chef's choice anything, but they hook it up nicely. The only downside is when the platter arrived they didn't explain what each piece is as they usually do, and I didn't feel like asking, but it was all good. I also ordered one piece each of the scallop, Alaskan King crab, and sea urchin sashimi. All were very good, but the only other time I've had sea urchin was at Ra Sushi and I think Ra had better sea urchin. If you've never had sea urchin before, it's one of the funkiest looking things on any sushi menu. The closest thing to its appearance that I can think of is cat vomit, so if you've got a thing about how things look, don't get the sea urchin. Me, I don't mind how it looks. If you come here, look for Groupons or other deals as they are usually available.
(4)
Kat G.

Nice atmosphere and friendly staff! Food was pretty good but maybe a little pricey. Not sure the tonkatsu combination I got was worth $22. Husband got the nabeyaki udon and was underwhelmed. Would come back again but try different things.
(4)
Brad N.

Walked in and they sat us by the back kitchen area. Asked to move somewhere better, told us that all the other seats were reserved when less than 35% of the restaurant was filled. Then moved us to a corner right next to another couple, hardly the privacy we would have liked. Then we sat there and listened to one of the workers personal agenda for the evening including picking up guys at a party later. My girlfriend and I got up and left, plus it feels like your eating in a basement. Very disappointed.
(1)
Matthew L.

Kyoto is a really great sushi restaurant. The atmosphere is really good (I could do without the to at the bar). We got the traditional boat which was really great. The quality of the fish seemed to be top notch, but my wife wishes there was a little more prep put into the sushi (there was no sauce or wasabi dabbed between the fish and the rice), but that's not always a bad thing, so I don't hold it against them. We didn't have any of their specialty rolls, but we saw some delivered to other tables and they looked amazing. I really want to come back and try some of their specialty rolls. Recommended
(4)
Katherine C.

Just went last night after purchasing the Groupon deal ($45). We ordered dynamite, dragon, fireball, and caterpillar at the waitress' recommendation. Although the sushi arrived super fast since it was 5 minutes before last order and an hour before closing, I feel like it was an okay experience. The food is forgettable and we didn't finish half of the dragon roll because we had gotten the "special spicy" version because the taste combination was strange to say the least. Our bill came to $60 ($22 for Groupon + $15 extra = $37 before tip) for two people and if it wasn't for the Groupon I would have taken a star off. I will not be returning and wouldn't recommend this place unless it was your last option in the area. The staff is friendly, but the food itself is mediocre. I would pass.
(3)
Melissa G.

Kyoto is by far my favorite sushi place in Chicago. The food is great and staff is really friendly and accommodating. - Try the Creamy roll & Crunch Salmon Maki - If you're not a big sushi person, try the Katy roll (no fish) - BYOB - It gets busy, so be sure to make a reservation (they open at 5pm, so you have to call after that) - Parking lot in back is convenient or an easy walk from Fullerton brown/red - The free cucumber appetizer is good If you haven't been, definitely try it out!
(5)
Roxana B.

Bought a groupon for this place. Loved their maki everything we had was delicious and it was BYOB. But becareful there is a $5 cork fee charge, and every table had a wine bottle! Had no problem getting in enjoyed a nice meal on a Friday night!
(3)
H G.

I gave Kyoto good reviews four years ago. After a few visits since, it's apparent that the quality has gone downhill. I've experienced tako yaki with hard (not even rubbery), shriveled octopus filling. All the maki rolls kept falling apart on one birthday dinner trip. The specials were far from special. The table spacing was tighter. The technique for the SPICY SNOWBALL had changed and it didn't seem to have that same pleasing effect. I just can't recommend this spot any more. I'm very late, but where the twins go, I go.
(2)
Benny C.

Heard about Kyoto Sushi on Groupon and after reading the positive reviews on Yelp, I decided to give this place a try. My girlfriend and I ordered the spicy tuna maki, ahi flatbread, spicy scallop maki, and shrimp tempura. Besides the spicy tuna maki, I felt like the other ones were lackluster, the flavors didn't really mix well with me. The service was on the slower side, took around 20 minutes for our food to arrive. I wasn't really a big fan of the seating either, felt too clustered in one area. Seriously, there was a child sitting right not to me. I would recommend this place for larger groups of people (4-6). Definitely too loud and clustered for a date night.
(2)
Chai-Ling C.

The entire experience was not satisfactory. We were seated by the sushi bar and we saw very clearly three of the sushi chefs were watching the NBA game on the wall-mounted TV screen the entire time. They weren't just taking a glance once in a while to check the scores, which I would have understood, but they were staring at the screen almost the entire time, pausing only briefly to glance at the sushi they were making. It feels unprofessional and rude. Our server was very friendly and nice, which is the only good experience. They were understaffed so my water was not filled until I asked. We ordered the Love Boat, which comes with three signature maki, and two starters. The food was good but nothing different than any other good sushi restaurant. With so many other choices, I don't think it's worth coming back here.
(2)
Adriana G.

We went there ( my daughter & I )on a Wednesday night for the first time . I didn't expect this place to be so busy , but it was . We loved it , nice atmosphere :) , hood service, the server was super friendly We order miso soup which it was extremely salty , I also didn't now like much the edamame, , the shrimp tempura was good . We also order Philadelphia roll with spicy mayo & spider the sushi was pretty good For dessert we order Green Tea icecream it was very good I totally recommend this place
(5)
Derrick P.

I rate the rolls 2 stars and add one star for Groupon. 3/4 of the roll was rice. Just a little of fish or shrimp. Very disappointed. Usually you have rice outside the roll. Not there. It was outside and inside. Thin shrimp slice and tempura. I don't understand how this place got such high rating. Got habit to be very careful when you pick the place which offer Groupon.
(3)
Michelle L.

Went in the other night and had the worst service ever. I normally love this place, but we had a server we had never see before. He had a nose ring and took twenty mins to come over to even greet us. Not only did he take forever to take our order, he forgot to bring us food and overall gave us horrible service. Really sad since we normally love this place.
(3)
Wilson H.

I've been here twice and the sushi is ok. I got a groupon here and decided to try it out. I got the love boat option for 55$ here and it included: Tako yaki which was squid inside some kind of flaky crust which tasted like it wasn't fresh, orange sunshine roll, Kyoto maki, snow ball roll, and a summer dragon roll. The Kyoto maki and summer dragon roll were my favorite out of the 4 the maki rolls are ok, but nothing too special to write about. The service is good and the atmosphere is nice also. It is kind of expensive for my taste as I can get AYCE for 18-22$ a person with a lot more appetizers and a lot more to choose from. They have street parking, and a parking lot for free in the back. Kyoto is an ok sushi place, but from the one appetizer I ate, I recommend not getting any hot dishes from here.
(3)
Andy K.

Don't come to this place if you want sushi at a reasonable price and don't have a Groupon. Even with a 50% off Groupon, this place will set a table of 3 back about $100 if you want to fill up a reasonable amount. The rolls are small so if you think the prices are low based on the menu, you should look again. Frankly, I expected the taste to be higher quality given the premium, but one of the rolls tasted like reconstituted salmon toothpaste... Not everything was bad though; their fireball maki was pretty decent but I don't think that itself is worth coming back for. Bottom line if you have traditionally enjoyed Sushi Para-style sushi buffets, you will be sorely disappointed by this sushi dining experience. The place was at 50% capacity but I would bet everyone there minus those on a date were using a Groupon. Do not go here without a Groupon.
(2)
Payal S.

Sushi was average but they had a lot of selection for vegetarians so was very happy about that! The paradise veggie was delicious and a nice change. Service was excellent though a little slow.
(3)
Nina F.

I'm not a big sushi lover but this place is great. The service staff were also really nice and BYOB makes for a perfect group dinner place!
(5)
Laura B.

This place is soo good. Went for my bf's birthday and shared the Love boat. It was huge and more than enough for the two of us. We enjoyed all of it. The boat was great for exploring different rolls than our normal ones. We bought another groupon as soon as we got home. Loved the atmosphere, definitely an intimate feel to it though the tables are very close together. It didn't bother us at all. Can't wait for my next dinner!
(5)
Elizabeth N.

LOVE Kyoto! I've probably been a dozen times in the past couple years, and it never fails to impress. Tonight I had David as my waiter -- in keeping with the other waiters I've had at Kyoto, he was extremely knowledgable about the menu. I was curious about trying the Sassy Kat salad and decided to try it, with David's recommendation. DELICIOUS! Between the price point, BYOB, and great staff, Kyoto is my go to sushi place in the city these days. I'm already looking forward to coming back!
(5)
Missy G.

We did not like this place at all. We came here after 9:30 on a Saturday night when our favorite sushi place was booked for the rest of the night. It is BYOB which is an added plus, but the food was just not good. We ordered the gyoza as an appetizer and it was fine, but nothing special. We then each ordered separate sushi rolls (split between basic and specialty) and all of them just did not cut it. I can't put a finger on why they were not good, but they weren't. Could it be that they were not fresh? Maybe because it was late at night ? I am not sure, but we will definitely not be returning. I do want to note that the service was great, which is why they received two stars instead of one.
(2)
Tyler C.

My girlfriend and I did the groupon deal and have been here a couple times. The Creamy Roll is a little expensive but well worth it. We also got the Beef Wrapped Asparagus as an appetizer. We will definitely be going back.
(5)
Natalie S.

My dude and I have been having many a date night here, thanks to Groupon. I used to come here back in high school and WOAH, the atmosphere has changed, definitely much more modern now. Modern yet approachable and comfortable. The sushi is solid. Very good, very fresh. The service is always great. Gotta love BYOB too. DEFINITELY make a reservation. There is *no* room to wait for a table so especially in the winter, you're left standing in the cold.
(4)
Noemi C.

I've tried..like 3 sushi places, and this one is by far, the BEST. Try the dynamite appetizer, creamy sushi roll (it's their specialty), and the crunch salmon roll. I'd explain more in detail, but I was too busy enjoying the meal to remember anything else!
(5)
Nick J.

Dynamite Appetizer is awesome, its still burning even 2 min after been taken onto table. Creamy roll is average, beef asparagus roll is too dried and lacking flavor. Ice cream combo taste good. Servers are kind but was forgotten and took too long to get the bill.
(3)
Meredith K.

This is one of those places were you have to lead with the groupon otherwise you get screwed with the 1/2 price maki deals but other than that its great! And they often have groupon like deals. I am not a huge fan of byob sushi places only b/c I want a lychee martini but I can cope. The number one cool thing about this place is the free parking in the back. Oh yeah and the rolls and apps are really good! I love the one with the truffle. Its amazing. Everything is really fresh and quick service. An all-round not fancy solid sushi place.
(4)
Vanessa X.

We got the sashimi platter and a couple of signature roles but nothing was particularly outstanding. I've had MUCH better sushi elsewhere, admittedly not in Chicago necessarily, but this one leaves much to be desired. The sashimi slices were small and not all that fresh, and that was the biggest disappointment. The signature rolls were a bit soggy and so very average. The soba noodles were a bit too sweet, but nicely chewy. And the mochi ice cream (red bean and green tea) were obviously store-brought. Saving grace: I liked the atmosphere - very comfortable and conducive to conversation - and the BYOB aspect is great.
(2)
Marie H.

My hubby and I came here with a groupon on a Sunday night. We were seated immediately. The ambiance is great for a date night with very clean decor. Our service was pleasant: our server was very nice and gave us detailed recommendations when we asked. We ordered the sassy kat and the spicy snowball as appetizers. The sassy kat was an interesting seaweed and lettuce salad topped with a mix of seared and raw seafood with a sesame ginger dressing. It would have been more memorable had we not had it alongside the superb spicy snowballs! While not as spicy as we expected, these riceballs topped with seared white tuna and a delicious truffle oil and scallions medley made for a fantastic start to the evening. They were very balanced with sweet, salty, umami, and a hint of spicy (it is plated with chili oil if you want more spice, but I was happy with the balance). For our main entrees we ordered the Dynamite and Creamy Signature Maki. With these two, I was sold on this place. The nice crisp of the former with unique creamy texture of the latter (it's name is well deserved) was such a good combination that I would recommend that everyone always order these two together. The fish was fresh, the maki's well-rolled, and the flavors were just right. We topped it off with the red bean mochi and the green tea ice cream -- pretty standard, nothing different: but I love green tea ice cream so that is always a plus. As a bonus: this place has real wasabi (not the horse radish mix) if you request it. I know for my husband and I, that makes any sushi place a winner. I would highly recommend this place for an affordable but still high quality sushi place! And it's BYOB!
(4)
Kate H.

We came here with a Groupon and ate like kings. We tried three of their specialty rolls: the spicy snowball (on their appetizers menu), the creamy, and the dynamite. The dynamite roll stole the show. I also enjoyed their sweet potato roll while my boyfriend noshed on a California and New York. They're BYOB, which is always great. There's a $5 corkage fee, but it's hard to beat a BYOB discount sushi spot in Lincoln Park. Our server was extremely friendly, and the entire staff was wonderful. It's a bit dark inside, since it's (slightly) subterranean, but it's still a fun atmosphere for groups or dates.
(4)
Julie B.

Kyoto Sushi is my go to Sushi place in Chicago. It helps that I don't live far. But really, it's just good. I think I went for the first time using a Groupon deal and have gone back many times without a Groupon. That's how much I like it, as well as my husband and some of our friends. Free parking, BYOB (with a $5 corkage fee) and they take reservations should you have a little larger of a group. The only negative is the tight seating. When it's busy, you will have people at the tables next to you and it'll feel like you are eating with them. Not the end of the world and it hasn't stopped me going.
(4)
Stephanie L.

This is a solid BYOB sushi place. Went here with some friends on Black Wednesday to get some grub in us before the binge drinking started. We were sat immediately. Yes, its a small restaurant, but I loved the feel of it. There was a lot of people in here. Service was ok and the tables were cramped. The sushi was damn good quality for the price. Started off with the seaweed salad and the house salad. Both were standard. Onward to the maki....creamy, spicy scallops, fiesta, philly and the spicy tuna. The creamy was fantastic. The fiesta had some kick which I loved! All of it was great. Ended on some mochi....they did a combo platter for us so we could try all flavors. Cannot be beat for the price. Plus, we had a restaurant.com coupon for $25 off so we literally paid like $30 for dinner for four people...it was AMAZING! I would definitely go back!!!!
(4)
Tara B.

Went here with a Groupon. We had a new server, she was nice, but her nervousness made her overly chatty and awkward, which in turn stole the ambience away from our dining experience. I'm not sure if she was quite ready to be on the floor yet because of that. Overall though, she got our food ordered and brought it in reasonable time, so she was okay. The food was okay, not great. It didn't seem to be incredibly fresh as I would hope for in a sushi bar. It wasn't fishy either though, the fish itself was a bit bland. We did try the tuna tatakimaki roll and that had pretty good flavor. Bottom Line: I was glad I had a Groupon because I would have been a little disappointed had I paid full price and drove across town. It was just okay and there are just too many choices in Chicago that are better. I'll stick with Coast, it's closer to my hood.
(3)
Christy N.

My go to sushi spot in Chicago. AND its byob. AND they deliver!! Its kinda hidden underground but i love the "downstairs" vibe. It's dark and the music sets the atmosphere. Always cool. Always intimate. Always. Tony, manager is a rockstar. He'll go above and beyond for customers. The servers are super attentive and on point. You MUST get the creamy roll. Its a pricy roll but the best one on the menu. I've never had a roll anything like it. If you sit at the sushi bar, the chefs (who are twins, btw) will pass off a few things for you to try. Everything is good. Spicy snowball and 8 Ball are my other favorites. Go to this place. Take your friends. Reserve the back room. You're friends will love it.
(5)
Fix M.

I swear this was my favorite sushi place to go to near my house. At a time I was going like every other week! I went last on 1-16-14 with a friend, and the food and service were terrible. We sat at the sushi bar, and let me tell you, I have never seen so much food sent back to the chef ever. It was like they were on a hidden camera show! One waitress we thought was going to knock out one of the chef's because he kept messing everything up. I would feel the same way if I were her. Our waitress was in the weeds most of the time, so we never saw her. We had to send a roll back because it was inedible. I am not sure what happened to my gem for sushi, and wish the old servers and chef's were still there.
(1)
christina h.

I wish I could give this place zero stars. My husband and I walked in for dinner and even though we were seated right away, it took over 10 minutes before our waitress came over to our table. A couple had walked in shortly after us and the waitress stayed talking to them the whole time (she knew them apparently). We began with some edamame that were overcooked, soft and chewy. Next came out our shumai which were cold, 20min later came our miso soups, the only thing that we both enjoyed. I ordered 6 pieces of the salmon nigiri and hubby got a cooked roll (he said it was nothing special). I couldn't believe how old and smelly my salmon was. I've eaten the same dish at so many sushi restaurants and have never been served such old fish. Part of the skin was even still attached! I ended up sending my dish back and didn't want to eat anything else. Even though this place is byob, they do have a $5 corkage fee which they do not mention until you receive your bill. I was incredibly disappointed with not only the quality of fish but also our terrible service. The waitress knew she was ignoring us and even came over to apologize. If you are aware you are ignoring your customers you don't need to apologize, you need to correct it. And old fish gets people sick! Don't come here unless you want food poisoning.
(1)
Ateesh V.

Kitchen closes 45 mins before the said closing time. We live in downtown and drove all the way here on a cold winter night. Got there at 9:19 pm on a Sunday and we got the dreaded sorry kitchen closes 45 mins before closing. The advertised closing time on their website and the door is 10 pm. Nowhere did they mention the early kitchen closing time. Why don't these guys list the closing time as 9:15 or at least mention the early closing of the kitchen on their website or the door. We have pleasant memories of our trip to Kyoto, Japan but this place was a disgusting little hole in the wall. Do yourselves a favor and visit toro sushi in Lincoln park. Avoid Kyoto Sushi at all costs, another reviewer mentioned getting the flu after eating here. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!
(1)
Heather R.

My boyfriend and I found this place while both craving sushi and wanting to watch the Blackhawks game. Generally I dislike restaurants that have televisions, but here there was only one large TV at the bar, and it was muted, so it was just enough to catch some of the game without it being overly distracting/obnoxious. The service was great and the restaurant decor was cute. We went on a Tuesday night, so it wasn't packed, which was nice. I've heard that on the weekends it gets a little crazy though. The maki was awesome - we ordered the shrimp tempura maki, the dragon roll and the Creamy roll. The shrimp tempura and Dragon were great, but I absolutely loved the Creamy roll. If you don't like avocado, this isn't for you, but for those that do - definitely try this. I've never seen any place offer this style of maki. Rather than wrapping it in seaweed, it is wrapped in avocado. It just melts in your mouth and is extremely flavorful. I was a little worried that it would be really heavy/filling, but it wasn't at all. I would absolutely get this again when I go back. While the food and service would warrant 5 stars, I'm giving it 4 because it was a little pricey (the Creamy roll is $17 - which seems a little overpriced, but I'd admittedly order it again). If I could give the place 4.5 stars, I would.
(4)
Diana G.

My friend and I came when they just opened and were the first ones there. It took us a while to check out the menu. I was really excited to try the Unagi Tempura. So, we tried to place our appetizers of Unagi Tempura, Agedashi Tofu and Yaki Tori. Then she tells us they have a issue with the kitchen and they can't make the tempura or the yaki tori. Ummmm.....ok. Some of the rolls we wanted to order had shrimp tempura or fried stuff and we asked if those were ok and she had to go ask. So, we settled on Agedashi Tofu, Kaki Fried (oysters) and Pork Gyozas. We then order 1 piece tobiko, Shrimp Tempura Roll, Spider Roll, Unagi Roll and Tonkatsu Entree. The Kaki Fried and Pork Gyozas came and both were fine. I guess she didn't hear us about the tofu since we never received it. We were thinking it's weird that you can fry some stuff and not others....oh well. We did hear one waitress tell (I'm guessing the owner/manager) they had no tempura....that's not a good sign if you guys just opened and don't have one of the most popular item on the menu. Then the sushi arrived and they were ok. Weren't bad, but nothing stood out. We were starting to get full by the time the Tonkatsu came. I tried the Tonkatsu and it was fried nicely, but I didn't really care for the dipping sauce. Overall, wasn't too impressed with the overpriced food or service. Go elsewhere!
(2)
Carolina D.

Food is always delicious, they have some unique rolls that are delicious. We tried a few, but the Creamy was the most memorable. Wrapped in avocado, practically no rice! It just melts in your mouth; hence the name "Creamy". Definitely recommend that one. The part that left us underwhelmed was the service. The hostess/server saw us come in and just turned back to continue her chit chat with another staff member even though we were about 4 feet from them. Once she finished her conversation, she took us to a table and on our way tells us we need to hurry up and order or they will close the kitchen on us (granted we arrived 45 mins. before closing time). She later tells us they like to close the kitchen early because "[we] want to get out of here by 11. My only question to Kyoto is: WHY NOT POST KITCHEN HOURS INSTEAD OF BUSINESS HOURS? We were rushed out of there before a table that was there before us left. The waitress put on her sweater and was ready to go before we even got up from the table...
(3)
Olga C.

Second time I tried in this place. I went there with my friend this place is amazing and cozy. I'm really recommended this place the food is fresh. We try the shrimp and veggie tempura. I'm I'm asked..Miso soup very tasty...Tuna maky ..salmon rolls..5 stars...service its great..and i love Byob... Price for the corkage fee is not expensive.
(5)
Raquel D.

Creamy roll. That's all I gotta say. Now, GO!! Ok, maybe I'll add a bit more - this place rocks! We went here for dinner as a start to a bachelorette party and it was a perfect choice!! We got a semi-private room in the back for 10 gals and it's BYOB!! The service was friendly (not so prompt, but it was busy) and the food was outstanding. The fish is fresh and the creamy roll is to die for. I think we ordered 5 of those suckers along with the sushi boats. We don't mess around. I remember loving it all, especially unagi and fire something roll. The creamy is $17 bones, but worth every penny. I just wish this place was closer and not so cramped - but I will def be back!!!
(5)
Lori Taylor R.

My dreams were shattered at age 11 when I visited what had previously been, one of my very favorite restaurants. My loving feelings toward the Chuck E. Cheese had completely dissipated. I was simply over it. I began to realize, I was just too old to enjoy it any longer. Unfortunately, this holds true again at age 31 with Kyoto Sushi. I once, thoroughly enjoyed what I recalled, as a quaint and friendly sushi spot, but no longer. Last night my lovely friend offered to take me out to dinner. She made a reservation for us at 7:30 on Friday. We arrived and were seated right away. The tables were much closer together than I had previously recalled, but maybe I had simply overlooked this in the past. The sever moved the table over, so my friend could take her seat in the booth. We tried to get situated, but we had no room to put our coats or purses. The two top is already very crowded without any food. Our wine was immediately opened, which helped ease the feelings of claustrophobia. Our server was very anxious to have us place our order, so we did. The Snowball and Creamy were both extremely delicious and completely met my previous expectations. The other rolls, Spicy Tuna and Unakyu Maki were less than exciting. They both reminded me of sushi I would make at home. As we continue to make our way through our meal a table of 5 men was seated next to us. The guy sitting closest to me was literally touching my arm with his. He was sitting closer to me than my husband sits when we go out to eat, awkward! The table of two sitting on the opposite side of us offered for us to scoot our table against theirs to give us more room. I think the guys had the right idea and ended up leaving not soon after they were seated. The restaurant quickly sat a group of 4 in the now vacant table. The new table of 4 broke out their water bottle filled with some sort of alcohol and that's when the shots began. Oh wow, the restaurant has now turned into ... the bar? The table is now on their fourth shot, before they've even finished their Edamame. We decided it is time to get our check and finished our last few bites of sushi. Our water glasses now empty, wine bottle empty our check was delivered. We quickly gave the server the card and we waited, and waited, and waited. It's funny; because the entire time we were dining we were rushed. Now, we want to leave and can't! The once quaint and delicious sushi restaurant I remembered has now become an overcrowded, BYOB hangout that merely serves food. I guess all good things must come to an end.
(2)
Tom R.

Personally I don't like sushi... so why go to a sushi restaurant you ask, well my wife likes it and I can usually find something else on the menu that sounds good. This is the 2nd time we'd been to Kyoto and seeing as how it was so good the last time we were there we were expecting more of the same, but instead we got a stoned waitress/kitchen staff who were so slow that it took almost an hour for a plate of Chicken Teriyaki to come out. By the time it did come out the rest of the group had already eaten the 4 sushi rolls that had made it's way to the table. Now I don't care if you smoke weed, but don't do it at work. It was obvious to everyone at our table that the waitress was high, and the overwhelming smell of pot didn't help either. She kept blaming it on the kitchen being backed up, but I really think she just forgot to put in our kitchen order when she put the sushi order in... maybe I'm wrong and maybe it was just a busy night for the kitchen, but that's still no excuse for reeking of pot. I'm not sure if we'll be back again after this visit, which is a shame because the food is actually really good, but the lack of service can make the best food taste like crap.
(3)
Kat M.

This is the spouse's favorite sushi spot. Or, to be more precise, this is where they make the spouse's favorite sushi roll. He really, really likes their Creamy Roll, which is crab and shrimp tempura wrapped in avocado instead of nori and then given tempura crust. At $17, it is the priciest roll that they offer, but he thinks that it is worth it, so who am I to quibble. The place works for me as well. I like that they offer several veggie maki rolls to choose from, including a couple of larger, more complex rolls. Kappa maki will always remain my favorite (Yummy, yummy cucumber. Yes, I'm odd, I know. ), but it's nice to be able to try some new things. Their veggie gyoza are pretty good, and come with a nice dipping sauce, but I though the goma ae was a little bit lacking on the sesame. Not bad, but I doubt I will order it again. I didn't notice much ginger in the ginger crÃ¨me brulee, which was a crushing disappointment after the buildup it received from the waitress. But in my world, even bad crÃ¨me brulee is still pretty good , so I had no problems scrapping the dish clean.
(4)
Amie C.

First of all....didn't this location house float tanks at one point? I swear I remember walking in there with a friend picking up a gift certificate. Moving along.... Stopped in for dinner on a Tuesday evening to introduce my mom to sushi. LOVED our server! Not gonna sugar coat it, I had an appreciation that our waitress was a native English communicator AND super well versed in the Japanese dining lingo! Call me a hater but I found it helpful to my dining experience. She had great recommendations, too! I quite enjoyed the yummy hot green tea and sweet cucumbers provided upon seating. What ARE those cucumbers?! Mmmmm! We started off with soft shell crab. My mom was a little freaked out that you just bite right into the whole crab. We both loved it. Mostly tastes like fried breading... Miami Roll (I hope that's the name) was one of the "fried" rolls. SO DELICOUS! It was my moms favorite. I love spicy tuna so we ordered a roll with that as well. I wish I could recall the names of what we ordered...but the spicy tuna was yummy. Our servers recommendation was the snow ball (i think) and because we were getting full they made a half order for us. YUMMY!! I would definitely come back to Kyoto! I loved the ambience of this place and they played great music!
(4)
Maria P.

Kyoto is truly a hidden gem and has become our go-to sushi place in the city, specifically Lincoln Park. The service isn't spectacular, but the venue and food is excellent. Try the Dynamite appetizer, the tuna sashimi, and the Tuna Tataki Maki roll. You'll walk away happy! Oh! Even better! They are a BYOB!
(4)
Ben S.

Our meal here sucked. The Nigiri was tasteless and dry, the beef/broccoli-roll app we got was uninspiring, and the rolls were borderline terrible. Not sure if we just caught them on an off night.
(1)
Keivan M.

As it says, Meh. I've experienced better! We got the love boat, only the dragon roll and sunshine were OK. Cucumbers were old, the snowball was also tasting like old fish. Much better and less expensive options in Chicago! No wonder they always have deals!
(2)
CherryAnn C.

After a few months, tonight my husband and I went back to Kyoto with a few friends - raving about how great this place was. After tonight, I'm not sure I would even go back, let alone recommend it to others. Because it's a Friday night, we understood it was going to be busy and somewhat packed, however tonight - they really packed the place to its max. We walked in, got seated right away (we made reservations), but we quickly realized we had to scream at each other across the table to make conversation. There was a group of guys in the middle table taking shots all night, screaming, and yelling - not one of the staff members asked them to quiet down - yet we saw people in other tables also shudder at all the noise and glass clinking on the tables after each shot they took. This is a restaurant, not a bar! Furthermore, because of how packed the place was, the seats against another table kept bumping into our seats which was very uncomfortable. Overall, with such a small restaurant space, I don't think they should be filling up the restaurant with that many people. Fire hazard! As for the food, we ordered sushi and udon noodle soup. It took about 45mins till we received our sushi order. The rice on the sushi was somewhat dry. The hand roll my friend order was very small (compared to other hand rolls we've ordered at other sushi restaurants) for it's price. After another 20mins, our nabe yaki udon noodle soup finally came, but there was a slight issue. We ordered 4, and they told us they ran out of bowls for the soup, therefore just so we can get our soup - my husband and I just told them we would share one bowl, and take the other soup in a to-go container. The soup itself was good, but it lacked most of the ingredients (only 3 small pieces of chicken and very little vegetables). The only compliment I can give about tonight is to our waiter who tried his best to make us feel like customers and actually apologized for the bad experience - he clearly saw it in our faces as we tried to smile and tune out the noise and craziness of the crowd. He even threw in a dessert and said "I apologize for tonight and the bad experience." I commend him for that. But honestly - management needs to realize that if they want to keep their loyal customers, its about quality not quantity! I will not be returning.
(1)
Lindsey S.

I have been going to Kyoto since its grand opening over six years ago. It is hands down the best sushi in Chicago! Tony and the gang are amazing and it's BYOB! Make sure to end your meal with the creamy roll. It is so flavorful and unique with the avocado on the outside. The creamy roll is the best roll in the world!
(5)
Amy S.

I love this place! It feels like a hole-in-the-wall because from the outside it looks like it would be a crappy restaurant. But the sushi here is really fresh. They have some interesting appetizers, like oyster shooters (which comes with a raw yolk) and ahi tuna flatbread. This place is BYOB. I wish it was easier to get here from public transit, but all in all, I would definitely come back here.
(4)
Laila C.

I just want to reiterate again how awesome this place is. Friday night dinner at Kyoto with 2 appetizers, 5 rolls and 4 pieces of nigiri for 2 professional eaters (not really, but that sounds better than 2 people with over-eating disorders) and a bottle of wine totaled to only $90. Ummm.....hello heaven. I'm so sorry I ever doubted you even the slightest. Can you ever forgive me? I love you so much babe. And your free parking.
(5)
Dan N.

Even in spite of the $17 price tag, I would come back here any day for the Creamy roll--delicious (although a bit tough to maneuver for an amateur chop-sticker). I also had the Philadelphia maki, which was also quite good--and both rolls were enough to fill myself up--which is always a big concern for me at a sushi joint. My girlfriends Japanese fried rice was just OK, she loved it, but I guess I was hoping for more (something more similar to hibachi/Beni-hana style). Overall food was really good and I was quite happy with the overall ambiance of the place (in spite of the outer, strip mall appearance). A few things worth noting: --BYOB--HUGE plus (with a minimal $5 corking fee for 2 people) --Be sure to make reservations. We snuck in at 7, while the place was fairly empty, right before a HUGE rush of people.
(3)
John C.

Dy-No-Mite!!! (Gotta love Jimmie Walker) Started with the Dynamite appetizer that came out flaming on a plate. Oh the stares, I felt like I was totally cool...really? I'm not. Usually I get this in a tin foil wrapper, but the presentation and stares made it all worth it. AND...it was the best dish of the day. So sad that nothing could top this, but it was really really good. I'm a Groupon fool, so I had to make it to this place. It was worth the drive north...past the tracks to the other side of town. Man I gotta get out more. Had a variety of maki, a few nigiri...the super white tuna was good, nothing spectacular...and the Ikura seemed fresh. My round eye wife can't eat too much nigiri, so we stayed safe with the maki. Best one of the evening was the Spicy Tuna Tataki. Really, really good. I was disappointed by the Spicy Tuna hand roll. It wasn't very big, and you know what they say about the size of your hand roll... Finished the night off with some over-priced mochi, but since I was Grouponing it, I didn't care. Mochi was very tasty...yum. Dy-No-Mite!!! Had to say it one more time. Gotta love Good Times...and yes Janet Jackson was on that show!
(4)
Tiff H.

What should I give thanks for this Thanksgiving? Well, my wallet would like to thank Groupon. Thanks to you, I am able to try new restaurants and go back to old favorites with my lady and not feel so guilty because the bill is atrocious...especially with sushi! I've been to Kyoto a couple of times. It's BYOB, and the sushi is really good and definitely worth the price. Service is always friendly, even when they were slammed because of the Groupon deal. If you go, make reservations, even if it's during the week. I love the spicy crab and seaweed salad. The vegetable tempura is interesting, and I have been wanting to try to the scallop tempura for a while. The maki fairly decent sized, and the few times we've come here, we'll walk out spending about $25 a person including tip. I eat a lot......so a normal person would probably spend a little bit less than that.
(4)
Kevin T.

Great little sushi joint. All the specials are great especially the Gracie's cocktail, snowballs, eel/pepper/cream cheese tempura, and the tako yaki. BYOB With so many sushi (roll) places in the city it's hard to distinguish yourself but this place is great. They have sushi specials and a wide variety of Japanese items. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Scott B.

Why has it taken my almost 14 months to finally dine at Kyoto? Quite simple: The exterior of this place looks quite dated, and well, dirty. But, do not let this deter you! After Toro rudely informed us that they were no longer seating at 8:30 on a Sat. night, we, as faithful yelpers, pulled out our phones, and Kyoto was the next choice. With no reservations, 3 of us had approx. a 30 min. wait. This wasn't bad for a Sat. night @ 9:00. Once seated, we were promptly given 3 glasses for our wine, and placed our appetizer orders. I don't eat edamame, nor can I spell it; but, the ladies loved it. The seared rare tuna was awesome. As far as the main course, we shared several rolls. The ones I can remember: Salmon Crunch, Tuna Tataki, Kyoto Maki, Spider Maki, & Orange Sunshine. In addition, I had a few pices of nigiri. In my opinion, all of the sushi was very good. Granted, I've had better, but it was of very good quality, and the service was EXCELLENT! Usually, at a BYOB, the service can be sketchy, but not at Kyoto. The prices are a tad higher than most BYOB, but the service, in my opinion, makes up for this. I will return.
(4)
John C.

The sushi was delicious. My wife and I came on the last day our groupon was valid - MISTAKE. We arrived without reservations, but counted 13 empty tables. They definitely didn't anticipate the rush of last minute grouponers, because we waited for about 35 minutes before we were seated. Apparently they couldn't keep up with the take-out orders that evening. Okay, enough of the bad stuff. The Snowball appetizer was so delicious I've been thinking about it since I left. Fair ambiance, but it's bigger than other sushi places I've been in the city, which hopefully means that next time we come it won't be a problem to get a seat. I'll definitely be back!
(4)
Amanda Z.

This review is for carry-out only...I didn't even see the restaurant. However, when I called to place the order, the guy was super nice and made recommendations. I appreciated that. Agedashi tofu: super yums Creamy maki: everything it's cracked up to be...the best roll we had! and very appropriately named. Fireball: spicy + crunchy = heaven in my mouth. although most sushi places offer a very similar roll, unlike the creamy maki, which is unique to Kyoto (as far as i know). Crunchy salmon: loved the crunch, but this roll was too fishy for me. if you're a big salmon fan (unlike myself), then def get this roll. Tatsuta Age: chicken nuggets for the kid...she seemed to love them. We had a Groupon for $50 and didn't even spend the whole amount w/all of the good food above...and we were all super full. Needless to say, the prices here are very reasonable. I look forward to getting sushi from Kyoto again!
(4)
Nick C.

Go with the Boat!
(4)
Tyler B.

Hands down the best sushi restaurant in Chicago! People are sleeping on this place. You can have your Japonais...I'll take Kyoto any day of the week. The staff is extremely friendly and the fish is as fresh as can be. My personal favorite rolls are the asparagus, orange sunshine, spicy tuna tataki and the snowball. Enjoy!
(5)
Kimberly L.

What a pleasant surprise and all thanks to Yelp Mobile. Please allow me to explain. I whipped out my blackberry last weekend to find a local sushi joint and I noticed all the great reviews. My pal and I hightailed it on over and--low and behold--here was Kyoto. "Oh no," I thought, "this place looks really dreary from the outside." I'd literally passed this place a million times before and, just from looks alone, I'd never wanted to go in. Even after reading all the reviews, I still hesitated. But here I was, hungry for sushi, at their doorstep. Why not give it a try? Boy am I glad I gave them a shot. Fresh sashimi, delicious maki and friendly service! And not dreary in the inside! Really! I will be back for more of the addictive Snowballs. OMG...I'm dreaming of them now. Super white tuna, truffle oil, scallion-y goodness. Hmmmm. You must have some...now.
(4)
Kyle H.

Just went here for the first time and will definitely be heading back. We had a nice mixture of an appetizer, a couple of Maki rolls and few pieces of sashimi and everything was excellent. The fish is very fresh and the rolls are a great combination of flavors. Also, the pork gyoza is delicious. Not at all gummy or doughy. The staff was incredibly nice, the service was prompt and the price was very reasonable. It's a BYOB so come prepared. They have the little carafe that keeps your sake cold and very cool little glasses. I don't have a bad thing to say about the place.
(4)
Lex E.

I hadn't eaten sushi in a couple of months and was really craving it! I went with a friend who had a Groupon that was expiring soon. With that said, the service wasn't spectacular because they got trounced with people trying to use their Groupons up. We didn't have a reservation but got seated at the sushi bar rather quickly even though the place was packed. I'm a very simple sushi person. I love salmon/avocado, tuna/avocado, yellowtail/scallion, shrimp/cucumber, king crab nigiri and not much else (due to food allergy restrictions to fried food). My friend ordered fancier rolls and loved them just as much as I loved my more simple rolls. The sushi chefs are really nice and very talented. Since we were at the bar they could hand us our food directly and asked us if everything was alright. The fish is very fresh and great tasting. I couldn't believe how good my tuna/avocado roll was. We also had strawberry mochi - which you can't go wrong with. I definitely recommend checking this place out!
(4)
Melissa Q.

I am so glad I read the reviews before coming here. Creamy role? Wrapped in avocado and not seaweed?? I never would have chose that, but holy crow it was the best part of our meal by far. Other highlights included the flatbread and snowball appetizers. Service was great and BYOB makes it a wonderful dining experience. It will be a little far and inconvenient for us to get to soon, but I would definitely make the trip for another Creamy role.
(4)
Adelita H.

Sushi is AMAZING here. You will be dreaming about their Creamy Roll. The crunchy salmon is also fantastic and you have to try the seaweed salad in a martini glass appetizer (the name escapes me). Service ok, ambiance nice, prices middle of the road overall a great place for sushi lovers.
(5)
Matthew T.

4 stars for food, service, and variety. I, being the kind old man in a young person's body, decided to hit this acclaimed subterranean sushi spot during the happ'nin lunch hour of 2pm with a friend of mine. We walked down the solitary flight of stairs into the restaurant itself which, as I mentioned earlier, sits just below street level. I personally enjoy not having to hear all the hustle and bustle of the city while I'm eating my lunch, so this underground dining room was ideal for me, but I can see how some might be turned off to the idea. The dining room was large and obviously designed more for functionality than aesthetics; a handful of booths lined the sides of the interior and the rest of the open space is used for tables. While it is a functional space designed for capacity, the design doesn't detract from a very comfortable and professional environment. The menu is expansive to say the least and my friend and I perused it for about 20 minutes before placing our order. Our food came very quickly and was so stunning visually that i didn't want to eat it, just look on in awe and wonder until my hunger became too much to bear. This place isn't cheap, but you get every penny's worth. We got 3 orders of maki (California Roll, Spicy Salmon Roll, Spicy Maguro/Unagi Roll) and some Maguro sashimi to share. It doesnt sound like much, but it would have been easy to have ordered another 3 or 4 orders of Maki because there were so many intriguing original dishes to be had. The maguro and unagi all but melts in your mouth, just the way i like it. Each slice of the maki looked as big as a mini appetizer making one order a good item to share with a companion and each section was stuffed with great ingredients. The roll I chose, dubbed the "Fireball Maki", is unagi and maguro w/ a little spicy mayo, some tempura, and nice chunks of fresh jalapeno making it both a flavorful and textural delight. The food was top notch, hands down; easily as good as your "best" local sushi restaurant. While food quality and service are impeccable, lack of alcohol service stops this rating short at 4 stars. While i would eat here all the time, people like my parents and other inhabitants of Lincoln Park would be instantly turned off by a lack of Sake which some will say is a quintessential part of eating at a Japanese restaurant. This is not a cheap place either, and by cheap I mean price and quality. Great for dates, business lunches or birthdays, just be prepared to pay for a higher standard of food and service. Best part was that I got 15% off my total bill by using my restaurant coupon swiss army knife aka Chitownmenus.com . I just looked up the place before i went and found a handful of coupons at my disposal including 15% off my bill for being a student, free appetizers and cash off carryout service. Kyoto is fantastic, seriously people, eat here. Delicious fresh ingredients, fast and friendly service, a cool ambiance to relieve you from the summer heat and a giant menu should be more than enough to get any sushi lover in here to chow down.
(4)
Ashley W.

I would've given Kyoto 5 stars if the waitress could identify all the sushi on our Spice Boat. Unfortunately, I have a tuna allergy (lame!) and b/c I didn't want to visit the emergency room I needed to know which rolls were ok to eat. Thankfully my friends tried each roll & identified which ones were safe. Besides that, the fish was fresh and tasty! I did order additional rolls to fill my tummy. The uni (sea urchin), sake (salmon) and tamago (egg) were fantastic. This a great place to go with a group of friends b/c it's BYOB. Definitely a great spot for quality sushi and a good price in the city,
(4)
Becca S.

Do not be fooled by the super cheesy looking sign out front. I've driven past Kyoto a million times because it's near my house and on my route to many cool places. I never even thought to stop there. The sign is silly. If they can't even manage to secure a decent sign, how can they make decent sushi? I am sure you all agree with my logic. I bought a Groupon for Kyoto so I decided to give it a try. I'll go almost anywhere Groupon tells me to. Well thank you Groupon. Kyoto is delicious. We went on a super busy Friday night (we luckily had reservations which I highly recommend). The waiter was pretty delayed coming to our table because they seemed understaffed and he had many tables. (actually a sign outside that says "servers wanted") but we got water and cucumber salad right away, and when we finally ordered our sushi came out quicker than any sushi restaurant I'd been to. The traditional rolls like spicy tuna didn't disappoint, and the specialty rolls were unique and tasty. I had one with crab and an orange on top which I'd go back for again and again. I love sweet and savory foods together. They do carry out as well, and the Groupon is valid as well if you have one burning a hole in your pocket.
(4)
carolyn h.

4.5 Food: I have been here twice, both times I had the Ahi Tuna flatbread. I enjoyed it. It was different from the normal starter I would expect at a sushi restarant. I also love the Summer Dragon Maki. The fish is very fresh and the rolls were beautiful when they arrived. Price: It's BYOB which helps, I think the prices are worth every penny. The flavors are unique and the rolls aren't the same typical flavor profiles that you see on every menu Service: Very friendly, attentive without being annoying. The timeing of our apps and the main course was right on the mark. Ambiance: IT feels like you are walking into an authentic sushi restarant. I liked it a lot. It's different from a lot of othe sushi places in Chicago.
(4)
Triphena W.

Good, safe food. HUGE menu. Sushi and cooked food available. I ordered a boat that came with six of their signature/contemporary rolls ($65). All but one of the rolls contained tempura crunch, which rendered them nearly indistinguishable. I probably should have ordered only one or two signature rolls and then other items such as nigiri, simple maki, udon, etc. The service was very warm and friendly. Lighting verges on the darker side. Casual. BYOB. Free parking lot behind the restaurant.
(3)
Ali W.

My friend and I came on a Wednesday night thinking it wouldn't be that busy. We were wrong. I highly recommend making a reservation or coming early. Also if you are pretty flexible with sharing tables, you may be seated quicker if you are willing to share a 6 person table with another couple. It actually isn't a bad idea considering the place is packed and you're pretty much sitting on top of the people next to you anyway. Overall the sushi was good and at a good price. I do have to say the caterpillar roll is kinda fishy (rather fishy-er tasting) than other rolls. We also got the asparagus roll and that was surprising really good! I can't remember the other rolls we got (so they weren't anything special). Our neighbors got the Love Boat and that thing looked huge! I think I would try it next time.
(3)
Nana H.

Ummm there are a lot of good sushi places in Chicago, and I think this one is just slightly sub par. A groupon brought me here, and without it I would of thought it was too expensive. The fish was fresh, and the service was good, but the thing is that NOTHING stood out for me. It was a typical, basic sushi spot. What makes it slightly subpar for me is that the fact the rice on the maki was falling apart, and each piece of the maki was in fact rolled poorly. I also had once piece of tuna that was cut improperly, leaving the unsightly white muscle thing that fish have in plain sight. But like I said, everything tasted good and If i was in a sushi pinch (which should happen more often) and in the hood I'd probably come back, its just that well...I've totally had better.
(2)
Sarah L.

My sister took me out for sushi for my birthday as I have been craving it for quite some time now. I wasn't disappointed as we came to Kyoto Sushi Restaurant. As we walked in, we were greeted by a nice man who asked if we had reservations. When we told him we didn't he said oh, ok that's ok, how about we seat you right here? That was fine. No problem. I'd say not too long afterward, the place was getting packed. I can see why they asked if we had reservations. The place was crawling with sushi eaters. Kyoto had a nice ambiance to it. Dimmed lights with nice decor. It felt a little cramped but it might have just been the fact there were many people in there. We ordered 6 different rolls and the three of us devoured it all! I gave it three stars for a couple of reasons. 1. The waitress failed to tell us about their specials that evening. The "specials" board was sitting around the corner behind us so we didn't catch it until we had ordered everything and basically ate it all. And 2. I'd say of the 6 rolls we ordered, I REALLY enjoyed a couple of the rolls. Although it might have made a difference if we had tried some of the specials. Overall, an A-okay experience. The food was alright. Not impressed and would probably try another sushi place instead of thinking 'we gotta go back!' Not so much...
(3)
John P.

The restaurant was nice enough to reach out to me and let me know that valentines day is on a monday and they are closed on mondays. Though I should have done due diligence and researched the days it was open, Im still sticking to the fact they should have said it on their voicemail! BUT I applaud them responding to a bad review! Anyway, we figured we'd try again last night and ordered carryout. And you know what, the sushi was really good. Anyway, thanks for the reply! We'll probably order from here again! Here was my previous review (from a monday): I was very disappointed when I tried to call and place and order for carryout and it kept going to voicemail. Worse yet, the message told me to call back in five minutes. After an hour I stopped trying. Why not just put me on hold, or let me place an order online, or even tweet it?! I get it, it's valentines day, you were busy. But I wasn't calling for reservations, I wasnt calling for delivery, I was calling for carryout! Easy money. But they obviously wouldn't know because THEY NEVER PICKED UP THE PHONE!!!! Thanks Kyoto, my girlfriend and I had soup for dinner on Valentines Day...
(4)
K- K.

My girlfriend and I just got back from Kyoto Sushi. This being a Thursday night, they were very busy. Our server was, considering the busyness, very good. We ordered the creamy roll, fireball roll and the seared salmon skin maki. The seared salmon skin was terrible, not fresh at all. My girlfriend spat it out, it was so fishy. I have a much stronger stomach so I chewed...and chewed and chewed. It was like they put old salmon jerky into a roll. We sent this back. The fireball roll looked a lot better in the menu than it tasted. Normally, rolls with a variety of ingredients taste rather complex. This was just hot. Also, the roll fell apart. Again, I understand that they were busy, but something was up with the rice itself. The creamy roll was fantastic!! Everything was how it should be! Finally, I ordered the creme brulee. It was fresh...and warm - I order creme brulee almost anyplace that serves it but I had never had it warm before. The top was burned and I still have the burn taste in my mouth.
(2)
Elizabeth P.

The sushi was good. The service was not. I was there with two girlfriends and we were fine with waiting 30 minutes for a table. Since there is no waiting area, we grabbed a beer elsewhere and the host called my cell phone when our table was ready. The problems began once we were seated. We waited 10 minutes for a server to acknowledge us; another 15 for him to take our bottle of wine and open it; another 10 for him to bring said wine back to the table (but no wine glasses); another 2-3 mins for thim to go retrieve some wine glasses. This was my 3rd visit to Kyoto (used groupons at all three) and, unfortunately, I experienced bad service and long wait times at each visit. The sushi is good and it is close to my apartment, but I will not be dining there again.
(2)
Caitlyn O.

Without a doubt the best sushi ever! Anytime friends or family come into town I always take them here. The sushi chefs are amazing definitely sit at the sushi bar and let them feed you - don't even look at the menu.
(5)
Andrea C.

creamy roll, spicy tuna tataki. try them.
(5)
AL K.

Loved their specials! reasonable portions and price. gracies cocktail is a must. a blend of noodles, tuna, salmon sashimi on a martini glass.great service,friendly staff, cozy ambiance!! they have creative ideas on how to serve up your sushi and sashimi that makes the whole dining experience unique.
(4)
Ermelinda C.

We ordered take out, and it was by far the worst sushi we have had, and we have had a lot of sushi... Everything seemed to be made of frozen fish and canned products. Will not give this place a second chance - there are better choices in Hyde Park!
(2)
Linda C.

I'm definitely a sushi snob & this place makes the grade! I have tried a good amount of sushi places here in Chicago but this place definitely is my favorite spot. I'm always seated right away. Wait staff are pretty good but the sushi kings are the best! Very quick & meticulous. If you go, you HAVE to order the 'Creamy Roll'!!! It's amazing, melts in your mouth & leaves you wanting more. Pretty pricey but the most delicious roll I've ever had! Also they serve a hefty portion of Green Tea Ice-cream which is my fave.
(5)
Maura F.

I went here with a friend, and we used a groupon. Without the groupon it would have been quite expensive, but it would have been worth it for full price. We got cucumber salad and miso to start, both delicious. The sashimi appetizer is perfect. A lot of fish, super fresh, and delicious. The pickled ginger they use is the good stuff, not that scarily pink radioactive kind you get other places. We also ordered a combination of speciality rolls and regular sushi rolls. All of them were amazing. They really fill you up, too, this place doesn't skimp. I would recommend anything on the menu that is spicy and/or topped with roe. Everything was beyond fresh. As good as any sushi I've had on the east coast. The interior is fun, but small. Very intimiate place to eat dinner, perfect for small or large groups. Would be perfect for a date.
(4)
Ben L.

This place was recommended to me by friends, but after the experience my group had, I will never be returning to this place. The first issue with this BYOB joint was that we were not allowed to keep our beer on or underneath the table. Our waitress insisted on keeping it behind the counter so she could bring them to us and we would have more leg room. This might have been acceptable on a low traffic night, but on a Friday, when the waitresses are stretched thin, we had to get up from our table to go behind their bar to get our own beer. The sushi was pretty good as far as quality and taste, but our orders came out in quite a peculiar order. Some of our party who were among the first to order, were among the last to get their food. When the time came to pay, were were unceremoniously charged several uncorking fees. This would not have been an issue if the staff had not crossed the fee from their all menus by hand, and then said absolutely nothing to any of the wine drinkers in our group. Be warned, that your party will be charged, unannounced, for both wine and champagne bottles, regardless of whether or not the waitress does the actual uncorking. The final straw came when we went to pay for our meal. We noted our individual orders, tallied up our totals, and wrote on the check how much each card should be charged. Our waitress, however, took our total bill (minus the cash) and just split it up evenly between all the cards. You cannot tell me that, as a waitress or a restaurant, you are unable charge different amounts to multiple credit cards. The staff at this place is completely and utterly incompetent!
(1)
Josette J.

Pros: - Cute atmosphere, but not every table has a nice view. - The guy running around refilling everyone's water every 5-10 minutes. - Good customer service Cons: - Waitress did not know much about menu items, forgot to give my dinner companions forks when they were requested, and goofed on order, resulting in my dinner companion having to send back food. - Having to walk past server station and kitchen to get to the bathroom. Would prefer if they had those areas separate from customers for hygienic reasons. - Average sushi, but better than Kamehachi on Wells. - Expect to spend 1.5 to 2 hours here for dinner. Dinner run-down: - Ordered dragon roll, 2 steak teriyakis and sushi and tempura combination - Miso soup was merely okay as tofu cubes were small and few. - Dragon roll arrived. 6 tiny pieces for $11. Average taste; a couple of pieces fell apart. Disappointing overall. - 2/3 entrees arrive. 1 item has to get sent back. I start eating alone or risk soggy tempura. - Sushi and tempura combination plate is only okay. California roll is tiny. I can make the same tempura at home. Fish slices are thin and have weird powdery texture. Was not worth the $24. - Other entrees arrive. - Forks are requested but never arrive. Dinner companion has to make eating apparatus out of two unbroken chopstick sets while other does his best with regular chopsticks. - Waitress comps dessert for earlier screw up. I was going to give this place 3 stars out of pity and because I really liked the water refill guy, but I've really had better sushi elsewhere for less money.
(2)
Inae L.

Went here several times with groupons because they just keep appearing! I'm very impressed that a popular place like Kyoto offers great deals. And the food? SO good. Yeah sure, it's pricey (although I always had a groupon) but every bit is worth it. The creamy is excellent, the fireball was great as well as the miami. The simple makis like salmon avocado and shrimp tempura are also good (although some were falling apart). Oh and I had their tempura udon on my most recent visit, and both the tempura and the udon soup were marvelous. Their appetizer maki plates like snow white are also great. I just wish they're open during lunch time! They get PACKED during dinner time.
(4)
Lee D.

My friend took me here with a groupon a while ago. I really liked the crunchy salmon rolls. They have just a touch of honey and are really different and good. I purchased my own groupon and brought a friend tonight. In addition to the crunchy salmon rolls we ordered the spicy snowball appetizer - really good. This place is great for creative rolls. I generally don't order rolls but their preparation is so unique with such a delightful combination of flavors I'll definitely be back to order more. In addition, our server was charming. I wish I would've gotten her name. She made the dining experience a lot of fun.
(5)
Olga D.

Wish you could do 1/2 star because this place is 4.5 stars. Sushi is reasonably priced, not most amazing thing I've tasted but def. fresh and enough fish unlike other places who sell u rice . Rolls to try- orange and fiesta and spicy scallop .. And spicy snowball app is delicious. But I must applaud this place on service. We got seated right away at the best 2top /booth and didn't get the usual Chicago "ohh u don't have reservations?!!..." Our super cute server ( didn't catch her name) was very friendly and attentive without being overwhelming. She made suggestions for rolls and apps. She brought us a sample of a dessert we asked about even though we already had one ordered. I must say we received best service I've had in Chicago in 4 years I've lived here. Definitely coming back :)
(4)
Dennis M.

got it to go. it was fine. It made me so freaking mad that for 50 dollars in sushi they gave me 4 packets of soy sauce. you're home, you just threw out all your extra packets last week and I got 4 damn packets. It ruined it.
(3)
Ashley K.

This place was decent but I've had better sushi. Maybe my opinion is skewed because the whole night went a little weird but whatever...it was fine but not great. The good: The rolls seemed fresh and most of the portions were large. The Creamy roll was very good and I've been told that I need to return to try the Tuna Tataki Maki roll because it's the best thing on the menu. The no-so good: I came here with five of my girlfriends...four of us ordered sushi and one ordered a bento box. Her bento box (well - not actually that...something else that she didn't order) came out before any of our sushi rolls. Except that it wasn't what she ordered so she sent it back. In the meantime, 3/4 sushi orders were delivered to the table. One of my friends had to wait about 15 minutes after the rest of our rolls came out to get hers. Granted she ordered one of the rolls that was fried, but that's not our problem - it's the kitchen's. Eventually the staff brought back the non-bento box (which at this point, had been sitting around for a while) and told my friend that they were just going to add on to that, so she was going to end up getting more food. Good for her I guess, except that this food has now been sitting for 10 minutes. I tasted her steak and it was pretty good. I ordered the fireball maki - mainly because it came with truffle oil on it. I requested that there be no tobiko/masago/fish eggs on my sushi. Love sushi - can't stand those little eggs. They get stuck in my teeth and I just don't like biting down on them. No bueno. Apparently our server heard no truffle oil instead of no tobiko because my rolls came with tobiko and I'm pretty sure no truffle oil. That or I couldn't taste it. Once I scraped all the tobiko off, the roll was pretty good but not exactly what I was hoping it would be. Nothing was bad and I'm certainly willing to give this place another try but I won't be rushing back.
(3)
Leang E.

I had a groupon I had been meaning to use here and finally got the opportunity. We got in before it got busy which was good. We decided to forego the appetizers even though I was starving. We nibbled on the cucumber salad that complimentary at each table. We ordered the Kyoto, the Orange Sunshine, Crunchy Salmon, the Summer Dragon, the Spider, and the New York maki. I liked them all with the exception of the New York since I'm not a big cream cheese fan in my sushi rolls. I was disppointed to find that there were more specials on the blackboard that I missed since I wasn't faced looking at it. The waitress seemed to be off the ball with that one, and was just okay. It took her a while to get back to us to order. The prices were average, and it's nice that it's also a BYOB spot.
(4)
Matt H.

A friend mentioned the Groupon and that it's his favorite sushi in the city, so we went. My problem with sushi, and its a personal problem, is remembering what I ordered. regardless I do know the spicy snowballs are better than the regular. Love the cucumber salad on the table. Edamame could be better. Staff is excellent.
(4)
Lauren P.

really good ginger dressing and generous size side salad! you also get cucumbers in rice vinegar and sesame seeds when you sit down, which are delish! the sushi is always fresh and has a beautiful presentation. only reason why this place isn't 5 stars is because there is a somewhat steep cork fee.
(4)
Esther A.

First of all, I have to applaud Kyoto's awesome customer service. My two friends were so late for dinner that I thought I might have had the wrong date, but I'd forgotten my cel phone at home, so I had no way of knowing what was up. The incredibly helpful guy at the front desk (maybe a manager?) let me use the restaurant phone to call my husband to get my messages. Totally above and beyond the call of duty, and done very graciously. Once my friends finally arrived (deadbeats!) and we ordered, Kyoto didn't disappoint. We got a variety of maki, including some stand-outs like the Fireball roll, which nicely balanced heat and flavor, the spicy scallop roll, which had really good texture, and a very interesting roll made with plum paste and shiso leaf--sweet, citrus-y, kind of tangy, really good. In all, we spent $50 for six rolls, an order of edamame, and a $5 corking fee on our two bottles of wine--not bad at all, and we left totally stuffed. I'd definitely come back here--the prices were reasonable, the food super-tasty, and the service in all aspects was terrific.
(4)
Stan W.

Wow. Spicy snowball is mana from heaven. Plus spicy Tina is best ever, and it's byob. What is not to like? Surprising that in the heart of trixie-ville you can find such fantastic sushi!
(5)
Mark C.

Have not had one bad thing here ever. Everything is always fresh.
(5)
Casey O.

Came here the other night because we had a Groupon. We were hungry on a Saturday night and felt like going out, so we decided to give it a try. We didn't realize that Kyoto wasn't your typical neighborhood sushi joint, it's pretty swanky. And WHOA. This place was crowded! I would HIGHLY recommend getting reservations for the weekends as we waited a good half hour to forty-five minutes for a table for two. Once we were seated, though, our enjoyment went downhill as the two giant groups of drunk yuppies grew louder and louder as the night went on. It was almost unbearable. I won't hold it against the restaurant, but I have to say it did put a damper on our experience. Not only that, but they do play some pretty bumpin' music, which didn't help. Oh, and then two women thought it would be a good idea to bring their infant to a sushi place at 9:30pm. Because it was so loud, the baby started screaming, but they just shoved rice in its mouth instead of leaving. Another thing that we didn't like was that the menu is a little confusing. I'm still a little new at this whole sushi thing, and at the places I've been to the menu tells you how many pieces come with each type of roll. At Kyoto, the top of the first section of sushi says, "One piece each" Does that mean it's $13.95+ for one roll? Or does it come with 6 or 8 pieces? Does that apply for the entire menu? They don't really specify on the menu, but our waitress was nice enough to clarify that each type of roll does come with 6 or 8 pieces, which was a relief. After everything was said and done, the sushi was pretty good. Not the best I've ever had, but good. I wouldn't say it was worth the wait or the excruciating noise and subsequent headache. If I came back I would on maybe a Wednesday night or something. Pros: Tasty sushi, hip atmosphere Cons: Too loud and crowded on weekends, a little pricey
(3)
Mark B.

Went back last night. Still amazing! Went in for a late dinner. At the late hour we were the only table. I felt bad that the staff was there for just us after closing hours. However, The staff could not have been nicer! They even gave us a birthday dessert and told us not to rush. Thanks Staff of Kyoto
(5)
Julie D.

What a find! Stumbled upon this unassuming sushi bar after leaving the theater next door. Saw the BYOB on the door and almost left since we didn't have any sake with but decided to stay after hearing there was a liquor store across the street. While I waited for my friend to return, the sushi chef handed me a sample plate of "snowballs"...wow! You must order them! We decided to let the chef make whatever he wanted for us and everything was amazing. Best sushi I've ever had! Reasonable prices, too. Next time I'm in Chicago, I'm definitely going back....and remembering to bring my own sake.
(5)
Nicole W.

Hands down, this is the best sushi in all of Chicago! Starting with the snowball (either regular or spicy)- definite must! I also love the crunchy salmon and spicy tuna tataki. Ending with a creamy is a great treat- it's sweet and savory at the same time. If you're feeling a bit adventurous, put your trust in the hands of the extremely capable and talented brothers behind the sushi bar- Melvin and Carlo are creative geniuses! Also, the service is amazing. After the first time I came in Tony remembered my name and is always a smiling and welcoming host. And it's BYOB?! Life doesn't get any better!!
(5)
Lauren P.

why is this place so expensive????? i stopped in with a date on the last day of the groupon, wisely making a reservation before we visited. and thank god i did. we showed up at 7:15 and were seated by 7:30. non-reservation-holders had quite a different story. the host told everyone the wait to dine-in was an hour & a half. the wait to take out was two & a half hours. the odd thing was, whole time we dined, there were open tables & a line of about 15-20 takeout orders waiting to be picked up. now maybe the host grossly inflated wait times to play it safe, but i have a sneaking suspicion he was trying to deter groupon holders from coming & saving tables/quicker take out times for regular customers. i heard him ask a few times if the person/party in question had a groupon. not illegal, but quite a shitty thing to do. i scanned over a few yelp reviews to see what everyone recommended & we settled on the snowball appetizer, orange sunshine maki, fiest maki, creamy maki & tamago nigri. we also received a complementary cucumber salad (domo arigato.) the snowball was just alright. nothing special, but fresh fish. the orange sunshine seemed interesting with the slices of orange on top, but the orange slices were dry, instead of juicy. it was just okay. the fiesta had quite a kick & was clean & fresh tasting. now, for $17, the creamy roll (9 pieces) should have tap danced across the table. sure, it was avocado-wrapped & the tastiest of all four rolls, but was it worth $17? no. our total bill, pre-groupon, was $71 (groupon got me $15 off.) the four rolls we ordered were $51 alone -- & for me, the food did not justify the amount of the bill. i even left the restaurant not feeling completely full -- quite possibly the worst thing to encounter after paying an expensive check. if you want the best bang for your buck, i would suggest a love boat ($55 or $65 for six rolls.) it's a semi-spectacle & you might not be able to finish it all (only 1/2 tables we saw could) -- but hey, you can always take the remainder to go. speaking of spectacle, everyone in the restaurant was ooh-ing & ahh-ing over the dynamite appetizer (the plate arrives on fire. oh you fancy huh?) "it's so good," said each of the tables. maybe next time. our waiter was super sweet & very chill for being so busy. greatly appreciated. FYI, there is a $5 corkage fee, which is pretty standard. with so many great sushi places around the neighborhood at a better value, i don't know if i'd be interested in coming back to kyoto.
(3)
Jackie P.

One word, snowball! Okay two words, snowball maki! It is that good. Melt in your mouth, OMG I think I may orgasm good! This is my third visit and I must say this place is really working for the first place spot in my heart! It.Almost.Has.It! Service has greatly improved each visit and they are really wanting to give you a great dinner along with great service! Third time is definitely a charm!
(5)
Liz S.

I met up with the Princess of Sushi (aka Jackie) for a long overdue dinner and catch-up. She wanted sushi, which really should I expect anything else from her, and since I hadn't had any in awhile I was 100% on board. I met the Princess at one of her many sushi joints and this place seemed to know her well. We ordered way more sushi than we normally would've, only because the amazing Jackie had a coupon for 40% off....how could I resist trying new rolls when I knew I'd be saving so much. The rolls I tried were very good, and as Jackie has already said the snowball rolls (which is a special) was amazing. Everyone here is extremely nice, although a bit slow on service (water not being filled up), but that's nothing that can't be easily fixed. I would go back here with or without a 40% coupon and I would go back with or without Jackie (although I'd much prefer her to be with me). I'll definitely stop back at Kyoto for more yummy sushi.
(4)
margie o.

How has it taken me this long to make it to Kyoto when it's less than a block from my apartment? I'll be making up for that mistake with regular attendance from now on! My boy treated me to dinner here last night (and he picked up the wine for BYOB too - he's a keeper!). We had the edamame, the spider and dragon rolls and the special spicy tuna roll. All were very tasty, but the spicy tuna was stand out. The boy had some sashimi as well, which he reported was delicious. Our server was attentive and friendly. We sat at the sushi bar, and the guys preparing the sushi were nice as well. The decor is nothing special, but it's a cozy place, good for groups or dates. The women's bathroom is fine. It's clean and serviceable. My boy said the boy's room was not so good in that it "doesn't meet code". Silly architect. For those of us that don't require "code", the bathrooms pass inspection. I'll definitely be back to dine in, and I hope they do take-out so I can indulge at home as well.
(4)
Patrick M.

My favorite sushi place. Relaxed, BYOB, not too expensive, and the crunchy salmon is simple but awesome. Also try the ahi flat bread - it's great.
(5)
c d.

Kyoto is one of our favorite sushi places, and is reasonably priced and BYOB as a bonus. Free parking in back too! Reservations on Friday and Saturday is recommended, it gets crowded. The service is excellent, our waitress was excellent at make recommendations. They always have delicious and unique specials, it is easy just to order those. Some rolls worth considering. Snowball, which was by far everyone's favorite. The super white tuna was delicious. This is a great combo of flavor Fireball, another favorite, good flavor and spice Negi Hamachi, from the menu description yellow tail and scallions) it would be easy to pass over and boring and simple. It is truly delicious and a perfect roll to balance if you are having spicy rolls. Caterpillar, similar to a dragon roll however it is wrapped in avocado rather then seaweed. Fiesta, which was my least favorite. Kyoto, excellent with just the right spice Orange Sunshine, very rich and not too sweet. A unique and tasty roll.
(5)
Chris L.

Good solid sushi
(4)
Marie B.

This place is way more than I would have ever expected from the outside. We splurged on some specialty rolls, and they were well worth it. The two standouts by far were the snowball and the creamy roll. Our server recommended both to be eaten without soy. As I tend to use more soy than most people when eating sushi, I was a little wary of doing this. However, the snowball was amazing with no soy. The creamy roll, in my opinion, was best when just one end was slightly dipped in soy. The fact that this place is BYOB is another bonus. I'd much rather spend my money on excellent sushi than overpriced wine. I will definitely be coming back for more!
(5)
Ben S.

Surprised I have not reviewed, probably b/c picking up from there so often. My experience has always been positive. The basics are good and there is a concerted effort to innovate.
(4)
Christine K.

Love love love this place. A friend of mine raved about how great the sushi chefs were here. He's been following these guys since he first tasted their sushi at another restaurant. He was right, these guys are amazing. Melvin & Carlos know how to please the tastebuds. I can't recommend specific dishes...the times I've gone there, we left the menu up to Melvin & Carlos. But everything that was brought to our table was amazing! It's byob so even better. and if you love the chefs' creations, be sure to invite them over for a saki shot :)
(5)
Jayson C.

Under new management and renovations, this place has become one of the hidden gems of Lincoln Park! Their sushi is absolutely amazing. The chef is very artistic and it definitely shows with his culinary skills. So many types of dishes infused with different flavors that leaves you speechless. And the best part, the prices are cheap! Where can you find premier Maki rolls for under $10?!? I felt like I needed to pay more for what they had listed. If I had to find one bad thing about this place, it would be the lack of liquor license. Although, corking is allowed which makes up for it. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone! Great restaurant!
(4)
Mark S.

Short and to the point: the snowball rolls are phenomenal. Only $10 for 6 rolls and they couldn't have been better. Make sure to get them "spicy".
(5)
L L.

I am a sushi snob and I have to say KYOTO passed the test. Service was lovely and food was great. Hands down the best version of Agedashi Tofu I've ever had! Spicy Tuna Tataki, Summer Dragon and Crazy Maki all rocked. Snowball was also good - wish there was more! Gladly returning and looking forward to trying the rest of the menu!
(5)
Claire F.

Everybody liked their sushi rolls, but nobody was over excited about them. Nice atmosphere.
(2)
Bill Z.

Just five doors from my Lill home to this wonderful place. I was going here since opening under old management. But new folks did a good redo job of the place - even with a private dining room. More creative chef now and friendly owners and servers who remember my name. I usually put myself in the hands of chef who puts together a multi-small-bite meal that takes some time but wow it is worth it, I am mostly a lunch person -- so I visit on Sat. or Sun. A cool bottle of white wine goes well with the food. This place is a gem on Lincoln Avenue too full of 20 something drinking holes and hot wings places.
(5)
Chi N.

This is still the best sushi place I have tried in Chicago. Their fish is always super, super fresh and their servers are always good. Kyoto is a place that knows how to show appreciation for their regulars. Enjoy...!
(5)
Heajung L.

My bf & I recently ventured here because of a Groupon. Overall, our experience wasn't terrible, but I was definitely not impressed. Their sushi was less-than-stellar in terms of quality, presentation, and taste. In fact, this is the first sushi restaurant I've ever eaten at where I felt the rolls were bland and (the presentation) sloppy.
(2)
Barbara D.

Tatefully Simple...that's how I would describe it. The restaurant has wonderful fancy decor, the service was excellent, the sushi choices were plain but good. I had the sashimi appetizer which was delicious and the special Fireball roll, which was also good. My only complaint was that their sushi choices were very standard. Small menu with no thrills, no special extras...and it's BYOB but I was really craving a martini.
(3)
S K.

Great food! Good service. Sushi boats were the way to go. I went with 4 people so it was more cost efficient to get a the sushi boats and best way to try a variety of sushi.
(4)
Erica T.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every single roll that was brought out was amazing, and all 5 of my other friends thought so as well. My favorite was the Dynamite, but I am on a mission to try every roll on their menu. I am so picky when it comes to sushi, and this has been by far the best I've had, and the price is average. The thing I like about this place is it's BYOB, so you save money on the bill anyways with the cost of alcohol. HIGHLY reccommended
(5)
Milena M.

After looking at the other reviews, my experience was the opposite. The sushi did not taste fresh and the soup tasted old. I can't say much more for the vegetables. The best thing about dinner was the guy on tv who was eating a hamburger with the world's spiciest hot pepper.
(2)
Alex A.

I can't review the food because we were never seated. This review is only about the service. I had a groupon that was about to expire, so my husband and I decided to try it out. I made the mistake of not making reservations, so we were told there was a 45-minute wait. They took our phone number and told us they will call when a table is ready. We stayed in the area, but after an hour went by, we weren't called. I didn't want to wait any longer, so we went to a local restaurant and ordered appetizers. When another half hour went by and we didn't receive a call, we decided to eat where we were. A few days later, the coupon expired. I still wanted to give them a shot, so I called them and asked if they can extend the groupon since we actually WERE there prior to the expiration date. However the girl who answered the phone told me that sometimes they get too busy and can't always seat everyone, and told me NO they could not honor our groupon. I spoke to a manager and received the same answer. I went back and forth with him several times, and he finally agreed that he would discount me the $15 I paid for the groupon, but would NOT honor the value of the groupon. Needless to say, we didn't go back.
(2)
johnny b.

Yeah one of the better sushi places i've been to in chicago. Had to wait for 15mins longer than they said for carryout but never judge resturants on that. Stuff happens. Sushi was good. Better than all the places on southport.
(4)
Stephen D.

Best sushi in Chicago...so far. We have been trying to replace our favorite sushi restaurant since we left Florida and have tried several since we moved here. This is the place! The rolls are outstanding! We didn't try the creamy roll as it was $16! We did try several of the specials. The tuna tataki was so-so. The snowball was unreal. I give 5 stars to any restaurant that uses truffle oil and this place puts it on friggin super white tuna??? I'm on that like the last piece of cake. It was as good or better than expected. I don't understand the 3 star reviews on here for this place. Honestly I think people over-critique places because they feel like they have to write a review on yelp afterwards. The service was awesome, food even better, and BYOB to boot. You've got my business Kyoto.
(5)
christine c.

this place was good, but not the best. i'm only giving it a 4 b/c it's the best so far in chicago otherwise overall i'd give it a 3. the only thing i'd note is that the tempura is weird... they don't use traditional batter but it's more like fish&chips batter so i could taste all the oil in my mouth and while it was super crunchy, the lingering oil was just nasty so i couldn't finish the tempura i also go the dragon roll - the shrimp tempura wasn't as noticeable there (the oily taste that is) but overall this place is pretty decent and reasonably priced as well. my bf got the sushi platter or whatever they call it for $23 and i think it had about 21 slices of sashimi which was pretty fresh also. i'd definitely go back
(4)
Anya F.

The service was fantastic, the sushi was really fresh and delicious (and I say this having eaten a lot of sushi in Japan!) And the atmosphere was cozy and friendly! I would definitely come again.
(4)
Cathy H.

Given the really high reviews, I was disappointed by my experience. I headed in on a Friday night at 7:15, without a reservation. The hostess told us it'd be about half an hour to forty-five minute wait, so we left our number (as she suggested), and wandered around the neighborhood. When we came back, a couple who'd arrived after us and who were inquiring about the wait in a way that seemed to suggest they didn't have a res, either, were seated. Hmmm. Then, we proceeded to wait forEVER, and were finally seated at 8:30pm. Not the best experience, even if we didn't have a res (we also kept being reassured that we'd be seated "soonish," but soonish was apparently half an hour or more). Anyway, enormously long wait notwithstanding, the food was just okay. My dinner companion got gyoza and chicken katsu. The gyoza was competent, but boring--it appears they didn't make their own skins (it was the kind of uniform-thickness-all-around skin that's disfavored and indicates store-bought skin), and the filling was so generic that I wondered if they'd just bought the whole thing frozen in a bag. The chicken katsu was admittedly quite good (better than most restaurants)--well cooked, not over-cooked, decent taste. I got three maki rolls: salmon skin, dragon, and soft shell crab. Sadly, they were all boring. And I mean Boring with a capital B. Let me put in perspective for you: At school, there's this really gross cafe that nobody likes, but everyone goes to because it's right in the building. The salmon skin sushi is about the only edible thing there, but it's still not "good." The salmon skin sushi at the gross cafe is better than the salmon skin sushi at Kyoto. There's another student cafeteria/food court place at school where non-sushi chefs make cheap sushi for undiscerning college students. Their dragon roll is better than Kyoto's. In San Diego, there's a Japanese grocery store that sells soft shell crab rolls for $5.95. It's delicious--2 inches in diameter, stuffed full of soft shell crab and roe and avocado, and so delicious that I'm totally cool with fish-smelling up an entire Southwest flight just to eat those things when I'm forced to fly during mealtime. The supermarket's soft shell crab roll is about 20x better than Kyoto's. Oh, I also had fried oysters. They were fried oysters. So, why go to Kyoto's? There's no reason. Actually, they had a good ginger creme brulee and the waitress was nice enough to let us know that we might as well get a dessert because we hadn't met our Groupon amount. So yeah, unless you're excited about waiting three hundred years for sub-par sushi in an extremely loud environment with very slippery tile (I almost slipped) but really good creme brulee, save yourself the heartache and buy some sushi at Jewel. It's cheaper and probably will be better. * Note: they didn't get a 1 star because they appeared to be a clean place.
(2)
Kiersten L.

Terrible. Got my phone number, address, and order wrong with my delivery order, but somehow got my credit card number right. When I asked how it was possible, the "manager/owner" told me that he had me repeat the credit card number because he couldn't hear me very well. If only he put that much care and attention into the rest of the details. Never again. To boot, the "owner" told me it was MY fault.
(1)
Betty S.

Used the groupon and thought the sushi was okay.... nothing special but good. Better than Joe smoe take out but not as good as some other places I have been. We got take out so that might have made a differance but I may have set my expectations too high. I might try it again, the restaurant looked cute for a BOYB inside so I would go with friends to give another shot.
(3)
Stephanie M.

snowballs are still delicious. service still sucks big time. snowball is better in the original rather than the spicy. try to not go on the weekends... it is so fucking loud. YO BRO SUSHI HEEEY I'M SKANK LETS TAKE PICTURES AND GET WASTED ON OUR MILLER LIGHT SHIT I JUST SPILLED IT ON MY BEBE HALTER TOP I NEED ANOTHER PHILLY ROLL. wtf people. i couldn't hear the person across from me talking last night. i would boycott this place altogether but their snowballs got me straight trippin boo.
(4)
Adam S.

I liked the atmosphere more than the food. Between three of us we ordered various rolls and it was okay. The service was good. I feel it was just a bad experience and I plan on giving it another go.
(2)
A Z.

I really loved the food! I received a gift card as a holiday gift from my employer and finally got the chance to use it for our wedding anniversary. Beautiful people and great energy to go along with amazing food. We will be back very soon!
(5)
Kat S.

I had a groupon to Kyoto and thought I would try it out. I'm a big sushi fan. We ordered a few fun rolls, the oshinko (Japanese pickles) and seaweed salad. Verdict: meh. The Oshinko were downright nasty. Like stank cabbage. The rolls were okay. And despite the groupon, we still paid a lot. Even more than at Blue Ocean which is worlds better. I will not return. Sorry, Kyoto, I had high hopes. But there's better out there. Much better.
(2)
Richard K.

The best sushi I've ever had......and I eat a ton of sushi. My wife and I come here at least 2-3 times a month. The owners Tony and Huey (sp?) are amazing. They both are Incredibly friendly. Our only complaint - if you can call it that - is when they run a Groupon and we have to deprive ourselves for a few weeks since it gets too busy. Kyoto is awesome. They deserve more than 5 stars.
(5)
Maureen L.

No option to give no stars. Not too inclined to give any stars after getting sick from eating there. I've been here before and, in the past, I would say overpriced and pretty good sushi, but nothing special. Went there Tuesday, 03/22. About an hour and a half after I finished eating my stomach started turning. I knew the Sea Bass Carpaccio smelled a bit fishy! It took about 3 days for my system to get back to normal. Thank God the portion was sort of small. Won't be going there again ever.
(1)
Whitney S.

There were definitely some great things about this place. I would highly recommend the "spicy snowball" appetizer - like nothing I've had before and amazing. I also had a tempura shrimp roll with salmon and sliced oranges on top that was great. Beware though: it gets pricey in a hurry. We ended up spending double what we normally would. Our waitress was really nice and made good recommendations. However, the hostess (owner?) I thought was pretty rude. She told us the entire restaurant was reserved and we could only sit at the bar. Then, after we finished eating (and we had been basically done for awhile and no check had arrived) she came over, told us she needed our "table" and offered us a small gift card if we would get up right then. She said next time we should think to make a reservation. I thought it was weird because it wasn't our fault that our waitress hadn't been by to ask if we wanted the check, but my boyfriend said it was at least nice of her to bribe us to get up. Honestly, i just don't think it's a cool way to run a business and i wonder if she would have been so pushy if we HAD had a reservation. Whatever. Just call ahead.
(3)
Lauren D.

Great for dine in or delivery. Love the 8ball, ahi flatbread, crunch salmon maki (i substitute tuna for salmon), and the fact that its BYOB!
(5)
K. A.

Good atmosphere and decent sushi. The specialty rolls were great (Chrunchy Salmon and Spicy Tuna Tatataki Maki) but I wouldn't recommend getting a simple tuna avocado roll, it was not worth it. Tinyyyyyyy piece of tuna and even tinier piece of avocado with a lot of rice. Also - we used a Groupon here and maybe they gave us the Groupon service because I have never waited so long for 3 rolls of sushi especially when it wasn't that busy when we arrived. We figured we'd start with 3 rolls and then see if we wanted more after...we almost had to put more money in the parking meeter b/c we waited so long for the first 3 rolls!
(3)
J Z.

good ambience, but the sushi is merely fine and salmon is too bland, udon was good but wouldnt trek +5 miles to go here again
(3)
Kevin S.

For the price, atmosphere, and BYOB component, this is my favorite sushi joint in the city. Don't miss the Fireball or Creamy roll.
(5)
Miriam G.

this is my favorite sushi restaurant in the city. it is affordable and good!! i like to sit at the bar and i let the chefs make up things for me and i always leave happy. they are always very warm and welcoming and i enjoy bringing friends to kyoto!
(5)
Amada D.

I don't know where to start. This is the best sushi place i have ever been to. Everytime I go there is no ordering from the menu. We always have the chefs make their recommended items and they all have turned out great. My favorite is the "Creamy Maki" oh my god, it is heavenly!! A must try. The service, ambiance is great! They even have a private room in back of the restaurant that can fit up to 10 people.
(5)
Matt L.

Kyoto is slightly above average sushi. They are BYOB with a $5 corkage fee.
(3)
Jared C.

tasty. went with 4 friends, 3 bottles of wine & a 40% off coupon, splendid. for a byob joint, one must make his or her way. the menu puts more emphasis on cooked rolls, sauces & tempura, so sushi beginners will be extremely pleased at the options for them. experienced sushi goers may be displeased by the lack of fresh and clean tastes and flavors in their signature and highlighted rolls. all in all, it was all really good. the maki rolls' flavors tended to blend a bit, but all were above satisfactory. the cucumber salad was a nice touch, the gomae ae was sub par. for the price and convenience, it really cannot be beat.
(4)
Erica M.

I love coming to Kyoto, sitting at the sushi bar, and letting the twins take the wheel.... The rolls are so inventive and fresh... The selection is great, the servers are maybe a bit too attentive, but aside from that... this is a great sushi spot!
(5)
Minnie L.

I was looking for a new sushi place to take my husband for his birthday when I found Kyoto. Its a super cute place and the sushi is very fresh! Our 1st server was not the best but then our 2nd server Justin was amazing! Kyoto would get 5 stars if they had Uni the night I went but Tony the manager made up for it. I would def come back w a group of friends!
(4)
Heather M.

Came here with a Groupon and I don't think they were expecting a full house. One girl was taking orders while the other served the food. The waitress asked us twice how we were, I think she forgot she already greeted us. She seemed rather frazzled. Took 45 minutes to get 3 rolls of sushi. I wonder how long it would have been if they had to cook our food. The dragon roll was good but the spicy tuna roll seemed as if they were missing the tuna part. We were thinking they were skimping on the fish because they didnt have enough to feed the restaurant that night OR the people that had a groupon got the shaft. Seemed as if everyone was there with the Groupon. While waiting in line for the bathroom, another patron said she had beeing waiting 45 minutes for their reservation. If I was her, I would ahve left. We were seated right away but our sushi dinner for 2 took 3 hours, craziness! Coast is always packed and it never takes that long to be served. I will not be going back here, even with a Groupon. Way better places in the city for sushi. But I did Love that is was BYOB, if it wasn't I wonder how long it would have been to get drinks.
(2)
Elizabeth O.

One of my favorite sushi places in the city -- affordable, authentic, my co-workers and I love it. Simple yet some unique dishes. Definitely worth checking out.
(4)
Jason K.

One of my favorite Chicago sushi spots.... No one beats the twin sushi chefs Melvin and Carlo in terms of talent. Go in and order the dynamite, Creamy maki (avocado goodness), and Gracie's special ASAP!!!!
(5)
Jeanine M.

I agree with all my fellow yelpers! Kyoto is a great choice for sushi in Lincoln Park. Its fresh, delicious, and quick service. There is a $5 corkage fee for BYOB. I tried the snowball sushi which was really tasty but definitely not truffley enough for me. Spicy tuna was very very spicy = yummy.
(4)
Lezah G.

I'd give this place five stars just for the fact that it has parking in Lincoln Park. I went there for the first time using a Groupon. What a nice find! The place is nicely decorated and very comfortable. Everyone was very friendsly and most importantly, the sushi was delicious! I just a sushi place by how fresh everything seems and by a couple of their signature rolls. We had the orange sushine roll and the kyoto roll and a couple of standards as well. Based on reading the other Yelp reviews, we ordered the Dynamite appetizer which I must say is the best appetizer I have ever eaten in a Japanese restaurant. I read some negative comments about this place as well as mostly positive reviews. All I can say is to give the restaurant a second chance because all place have off nights...it can be because of their suppliers, availability of certain ingredients, staffing issues, etc. I like Asian food and have some favorite Thai, Chinese, and Japanese restaurants which I go to regularly over the years and I've had some less than stellar meals a couple of times but always gave them another try and was glad that I did!
(5)
Judy L.

I completely forgot to make reservations but the hostess was kind enough to offer my group of 4 a table until 9pm. We were a bit worried they would rush us, but was very patient and let us know our time was up in the most demure manner. I tried the snowball, kani (crab) salad, oyster shooter, uni, takoyaki (grilled octopus molded into the shape of a ball) and creamy roll, everything surpassed my expectations! The free parking in the back also relieves the stress of finding parking on bar infused Lincoln Ave, just don't forget that in order to get to the back lot, you have to pass through the Apollo theater parking area and spaces are limited. The restaurant is BYOB and I give kudos to the waiters because there were many rowdy groups at the restaurant who were doing sake bombs and drinking contests but the waiters did not lose their patience nor did they appear frustrated whatsoever. Although we had to give our table up early, the owner allowed us to move to the sushi bar to finish our wine and while there, the sushi chef gave us free plate of mini uni rolls. We also ended up ordering more food, which goes to show how irresistible the food was!
(5)
Yini G.

If you aren't paying attention when walking through the neighborhood, you might miss this place. Kyoto was everything my friend and I wanted for a low-key Wednesday dinner. The dimly lit restaurant was very inviting, and they accommodated our requests. My friend wanted the dragon roll but with spicy tuna in the center. No problem. We were both happy with our sushi. Also their salad with the ginger dressing is huge. The only small complaint is the slightly slow service. There was only one waitress for the entire restaurant. BTW, I overheard the next table about their BYOB situation. Corkage fee of $5/bottle. This table was expecting to open three bottles of wine, but the waitress said she'd only charge them for two bottles instead of three.
(4)
Edward H.

My friends and I used to frequent this restaurant to enjoy their Dynamite. It is definitely some of the best sushi I've had around Lincoln Park. The restaurant runs without any of the frills that newer sushi places have. However, the conservative and quiet dining environment really lets you enjoy your meal - that can't be said for many of the new places which feels more like a club than a restaurant. Order up some Negi Hamachi, Dynamite, and a glass of Kirinn and enjoy!
(3)
Laura B.

MMM Kyoto Sushi. I found myself here after originally planning to go to Toro Sushi on Clark for a Friday lunch - unfortunately they had a sign in their window that they weren't going to be open for lunch..Man! But alas, I used my goog411 skills, remembered the name of kyoto and called to see: 1. Are you open for lunch (yes) 2. BYOB? We just bought some sake (yep!) Hooray! And Kyoto is about 50 ft. from the door of my apartment building, so this was all good. We were seated and immediately greeted by a nice young lady, who smiled a hell of a lot, but lacked a bit in communication skills. But no harm there, she brought out a chiller for our wine and we made our orders. Lunch combos, tempura veggies, soup salad, and 5 delicious rolls. Everything was so fresh and delicious, and I reached the point that I often do with sushi - I was so damn full but still wanted more. I've been back a few times since, for carry out and dinner. I've never had a bad time. The service has always been good, the waitresses are just so nice, and everyone has always been so accommodating. This is probably my favorite sushi place in the city. Go there, you won't be disappointed! Actually I think I'm going to get some grub from there tonight :) ha
(4)
Brooke D.

I just moved from Chicago to Knoxville, TN, have been gone for a week and already am having cravings for Kyoto! The staff is the most friendly, helpful staff I've met. Melvin, and Carlo are amazing at what they do, as well as the staff in back. If ever in doubt, start with the spicy snowball ! My favorite is a roll that isn't on the menu, they call it No Nami (no name). If you ever want it, just say Brooke suggested it! Some of my favorite are the dynamite roll, spicy tuna tataki, no nami, the sweet potato in the vegetable tempura, and Victor's homemade Ginger Creme Brulee .. wow! to die for. I may need to be making a trip back up north sooner than expected just to stop in. Thanks for the great experiences :) Best sushi in Chicago
(5)
bohdan g.

After a long hiatus Kyoto has reemerged. As previously, a family owned restaurant had some of the best sushi for an extremely reasonable price. Now that it has reopened under other family management I was skeptical of its quality but that was quickly remedied...it has maintained its great food and quality as well as pricing, friendly service and very accommodating staff. It is in a very precarious location but it is definitely worth the effort...their dynamite roll is just that -dynamite...if you haven't done so check this one out -highly recommended
(5)
Erica K.

Just had dinner here because I was starving and craving sushi. It was good stuff. There were only two other people in the whole place so it was just really chill. We sat at the sushi bar and talked to the chef. He was really nice and made us a little plate of things to try while we were deciding what we watned. I can see how this place could be a neighborhood haunt for those who live close. It's the kind of place where they'll recognize you.
(3)
Minda T.

What a great dining experience!! Don't miss this one. We had tickets to the Apollo Theater next door and wanted a nearby restaurant. What we got was proximinity, but more importantly great, fresh seafood, marvelous service (waiter was Matt) and great prices. This place is a BYOB. They could not have been nicer. It was my birthday dinner and they treated me to a memorable creme brulee. We will be back!!
(5)
Kelsey N.

This place is amazing not to mention BYOB and great service. I reccomned the Orange Sunshine Roll and the Spicy Tuna Tataki roll (both are specials that they have every night). So fresh and so delicious! the house salad is SO refreshing and delicious too to start with. highly reccomended!
(5)
Eddy C.

If you're looking for laidback, low-key sushi eating, then Kyoto is the place for you. The food is simple, fresh and very affordable. Go for the Special Cucumber Roll if you want to try something different (the maki contains four different types of fish and no rice and is wrapped with cucumbers instead of seaweed). The udon with the chicken and fish cake (forget its name) was also very good and had a light and delicious broth. However, if you're going to say that the udon comes with tempura, then I would expect more than just one dinky piece of shrimp. Although the food was inexpensive and quite good, I can only give Kyoto three stars because the service was completely sub par. Our server (who might have been the owner) felt it was more important to chat it up with some customers instead of bringing us our food. As a result, our appetizers came out the same time as our entrees. I think it should be common sense to serve your hungry customers first before shooting the breeze with customers who have already eaten. It's too bad because if Kyoto had better service, I would be raving about this place without any reservation.
(3)
Gisela A.

YUM!!!! love me some good sushi......great deal from Groupon... they have the best deserts .....and they have great gift card deals for the HOLIDAYS!!!! the waitresses that we had were great some places treat you different depending if you use a groupon and this place doesnt also has great atmosphere and its BYOB Woop Woop !!! LOOOOVED IT DEF COMING BACK!!
(5)
Paul R.

Dinner was outstanding. From the warm greeting at our arrival to the end of our meal, everyone agreed, we had a great time and the food was excellent. We felt relaxed and not rushed and the waitress was terrific. Prompt with our requests and knowledgeable about the menu and in offering suggestions. On top of that, having free parking, 10% discount if seeing a show at the Apollo, BYOB, I'm not sure there is a more dollar friendly night out anywhere in Chicago. Can't wait to return.
(5)
A S.

nice atmosphere and very friendly staff. the food was very good and seemed extremely fresh. i will definately go back soon. the ginger salad dressing is my new favorite ginger dressing (and i search high and low to find them). i asked if they sell the dressing (they dont) but gave me some to bring home.
(5)
Kristin P.

Aside from having to wait for about half an hour on a Saturday night (not bad actually, considering we didn't call ahead), my experience was good. Prices are very reasonable and they have some creative and delicious specials. My three friends and I sat at the sushi bar and watched the chef go non-stop for over two hours. Customer service was a little slow and overall the restaurant needed to be better staffed (in terms of volume) but it was an enjoyable experience.
(4)
Jennifer G.

The sushi was on the same par as Sushi O Sushi. I gave it one more star because it is also really reasonable. The staff was very attentive and friendly; they offered some good suggestions even if it meant we were spending less money. How refreshing. The atmosphere is sort of fast food Chinese style, but we will definitely be going back.
(4)
Aleah A.

dinner was average.
(3)
brian s.

Recently had dinner here for first time in years and it did not disappoint. Sushi was outstanding!! We sat at the sushi bar and let sushi chefs prepare whatever they thought we'd like..and they did a wonderful job. Looking forward to becoming a regular again.
(5)
Jen A.

This place was completely empty when I stopped in for lunch on a Friday. Normally, that would bother me a little bit, but I sat down anyways and dove into a plate of sashimi and some veggie tempura. And...yum. Everything was tasty (the yellowtail was particularly fabulous!) but I was a little bit sad that they didn't have any toro. Delicious, buttery, fatty tuna would have made my day.
(4)
Lizz Y.

The prices here are definitely fair, and the sushi is always fresh. Not to mention the management is really nice! They have a great lunch special if your in the neighborhood! When I'm feeling a yearning for some sushi this is always my first stop!
(5)
Miranda M.

I read all the great reviews online before we went, and maybe my expectations were too high because of them, but I was expecting more. I didn't even think very highly of the snowball - it was good, but it's no white dragon roll (coast). Our server was fine, but everything was extremely slow...we were there for almost three hours and had to go buy another bottle of wine from the liquor store across the street, because we were there for so long (and we weren't really drinking that fast!). I can think of about five other BYOB sushi places in the city I'd prefer to eat at. Sorry Kyoto!
(2)
Jennifer L.

This place is ok. The decor is pretty sleek and modern, but the food was pretty average, at best. I had the udon noodle soup. It was flavorless and watery. My dining companion had the chicken teriyaki which was also only okay. Maybe the Japanese entrees are not this place's strength? I didn't try the sushi, but they had a wide variety of sushi roll options and the prices seemed fair.
(3)
L. L.

Very disappointed. I ordered the chirashi sashimi, as I am an avid sushi consumer. I also ordered a spicy salmon roll. The chirashi sushi comes with sushi rice & miso soup- they forgot my sushi rice. Very annoying when you're paying $22 for a dish. The sashimi portions were stingy at best, and the fish quality is mediocre at best. I will never order from this place again. I've never written a Yelp review, only use them for guidance. This place was so disappointing, I felt the need to share.
(1)
Jennifer G.

My husband and I tried this restaurant for the first time on Saturday (had a groupon to use before it expired), and was expecting a whole lot more based on so many rave reviews. My first peeve was that I called earlier in the day to ask if I needed a reservation or a spot on a wait list, and he said they were booked until 8:30. I almost cried because we had a sitter scheduled already and couldn't head out to dinner that late, I asked if there was any way, if we rushed, could we get a table by 6:20. He said yeah, if it's no later than that, I can help you out. My sitter arrives, I kiss my son and run like a bat out of hell. We drive like mad and get there by 6:20 on the nose. I walk in and the joint is half freakin EMPTY. Yeah, thanks a lot phone-answering guy! We are seated at a nice spot, and the waitress opens our wine and before we have even opened a menu, asks us what we'd like to order. That was peeve #2. After I had a chance to look at the menu, I asked some questions about the appetizers and she had no idea what I was asking her, and further, has probably never eaten a thing from that restaurant. We ordered the appetizer and then waited 45 MINUTES for a stupid plate of overpriced pot stickers. We kept trying to get her attention and she would just breeze on by. I honestly think she checked on us once the entire night, about 20 minutes after dropping off our meal. I may just be cheap, but I didn't think you got a whole lot of bang for your buck at this place. While the orange something roll was indeed delicious, it was $12. The entree we had was a pork tenderloin combo dinner (with the soup, cali roll and tempura) and that was $21. I ordered that because it looked interesting on the menu and the only other options are your basic chicken or steak teriyaki. Was hoping this place would have something a little more inventive and unique. I was so disappointed. The pork "tenderloin" was a piece of shoe leather, breaded and deep fried. The tempura was tasty and had a great sauce, but all in all, not at all worth the price of the meal. I don't think they have enough servers, or maybe need to hire better ones and the place is LOUD. I mean LOUD. I sat shoulder to shoulder with my husband and still had to shout. All in all, not a great night out, but at least it only cost me $25 because of the groupon. I would probably not go back due to the awful service and lack of menu options other than the sushi.
(2)
Peng L.

A friend of a friend works there, so we got several off-menu dishes. From the soup to sushi boat to dessert, everything is indescribable delicious!!!
(5)
Iris F.

Ever try a salmon maki but with a crunch? Yum Every item on the menu just had me speechless and clueless in what to order. Of All I enjoyed the salad in martini glass! Kat something? The staff was great and answered all my questions. Plus he gave me a $10 off gift card towards my next visit. Love it
(5)
Matt N.

WHAT A BUNCH OF CROOKS! So my wife had bought a Groupon for this place and we realized it was running out. So called and left message asking about the expiration of the Groupon - only to get no response. I called again and left another message stressing it was about to run out and I needed to talk - well you got it. They never called back so it just ran out. I guess part of the moral of the story is never trust a restaurant that has a voice mail and doesn't pick up the phone. Regardless of reviews these people have no regard for customers. There are tons of great Japanese restaurants - forget theses jerks!
(1)
Taylor P.

This is by far my favorite takeout place for sushi. Fresh and great rolls, my favorite is the Orange sunshine. One time my order was lost and the manager gave me a $10 coupon for my next visit for my troubles. Always a friendly staff and a great overall place!
(5)
Molly R.

We blindly chose this restaurant because we had a groupon, but I will definitely be going back! We arrived right when they opened at 5pm, which is quite possibly the most awkward time of day to go to a restaurant for dinner, but the staff was bubbly and friendly and recommended the best corner table to sit. The restaurant is BYOB, which we did not take advantage of, but the food was so incredible, I will definitely bring a bottle of wine the next time I go back. The service was fantastic, which may be attributed to the fact that only 3 tables were occupied, but our waiter was very charming and professional. The fish was fresh and crisp, maki rolls were delicious, and everything was prepared quickly with great presentation. All in all, it's a great hidden gem. It's located downstairs in a boring looking strip mall building on Lincoln, but don't let the grungy building and modest sign out front hold you back!
(5)
Lulu W.

You really can't tell this place is so amazing just from looking at the outside of the restaurant! When my boyfriend and I walked into the restaurant, I was dazed by how gorgeous the interior design of the restaurant was; it was a clean, contemporary Japanese setting with the perfect dimness of light, and it was a very nice place for a date. Service was great, perhaps one of the best I've had. The waitress spent no time getting us water and menus. After seeing that we had no idea what to order, she recommended some of their most popular sushi rolls. My boyfriend and I actually ordered 3 rolls all from what she suggested. After that, the food came out really fast! I was delighted because I was starving. We had the Spicy Snowball for appetizer and then a Creamy maki and a Crunch Salmon maki. All three were delicious beyond my expectations! And this is coming from someone who eats sushi at least 2-3 times a week. Yes :) sushi is my sinful delight. Goodness, if it is your first time going, you MUST MUST MUST order the Spicy Snowball; it is so good! The other two maki were amazing too; both of them had a slightly sweet under taste, which I absolutely loved. They were all just the right amount of saltiness, so we didn't need any soy sauce at all (in fact, they tasted better that way). Kyoto Sushi had a gift card promotion when we went ($25 for a $50's worth of gift card). I didn't hesitate to get one because I am definitely going back soon. :)
(5)
Martin P.

I bought a Groupon coupon for this place and was totally floored by the freshness of the fish and the amazing expertise of all the staff. we sat at the bar to watch them prepare it. my taste buds were flying with amazing colors of spice and textures!! Thank you so much! This was a Groupon Coupon that has me hooked. I will be back and probably pay full price now! Loved it. The crunch salmon, Spicy Tuna Roll were my Fav!-MP
(5)
Fuffie G.

Well this was a nice surprise. Coast Sushi is one of my favorite Sushi places and we were not able to get in as they were booked. Well that ended up being a blessing in disguise because I got to try Kyoto. I know Kyoto has been there for a while but I had never heard of it. It's not in my neck of the woods nor is it obviously seen from the street as it is in a "garden" level space on Lincoln Ave. One of my friends recommended it as it is BYOB and I am all about the BYOB! They charge $ 5.00/3 people which is a little odd but we were three people so the $ 5.00 was fine. Service was also a little strange. Our waiter was a nice guy but a little flaky. Either he was new or flaky. Not quite sure. We ordered something called a snowball which was absolutely delicious. One of my friends doesn't like spicy so we ordered it regular and I dipped a little spicy mayo on it. I'm sure if I had ordered it spicy it would have been better but this was still plenty good. Rolls were creative and the fish was very fresh. The spicy Tuna Tataki Maki was really good as was the Spider roll. I would pass on the sweet potato roll as the pieces of potato were really small and all you tasted was rice. Kyoto is a strong solid contender in the world of Sushi in Chicago. I will definitely be going back.
(4)
Avery D.

What a great little place! BYOB! Reasonable prices. The atmosphere is low key and comfortable. The creamy roll is to die for, in fact everything was great. Friendly staff who made great recommendations. What more could you ask for?
(5)
Kara B.

Kyoto is a delicious, cheap,if slightly disorganized sushi place. The good: The sushi was the freshest I have had in this city ever. My spicy scallop maki melted in my mouth. I have been raving about it for days now. My companion's Sushi Plate A was excellent as well. The cucumber salad they provide as a complimentary appetizer is excellent as well. The restaurant is BYOB, and it is VERY reasonable for the quality. We walked out of here for less than $40 for dinner for two. FREE PARKING! The not-as-good: The spicy tuna was mediocre at best. I thought the asparagus beef roll appetizer was too tough. Our service was very odd. Our first waitress came to bring us our appetizer and a second handled our wine -- but not simultaneously. They spread out the work of one person over two people and twice as much time. It was just very odd. Still, I would recommend this place, if only for the quality of the food.
(4)
Karen T.

Kyoto, Japan is home to the geisha districts of Gion, an extremely secretive industry blown wide open by a single writer. Kyoto of 2534 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago is home to some of the most beautiful sushi in town, and it seems to be a fairly quiet secret...for now. But I wouldn't tote myself as a culinary Arthur Golden because I break no one's anonymity but Kyoto's, and I would be doing Yelp a disservice if I didn't laud its praises. The ambiance is clean, fresh, with the traditional screens, bamboo centerpieces at each table and gorgeous art adorning walls. A muted tile floor hinders the room from absorbing any noise, but it was fine - just a bit loud. Dynamite Maki: Broiled shrimp, scallop, unagi, & tempura flakes with spicy sauce - beat Tsunami's Volcano Roll by a million. Fiesta Maki: Tuna, salmon, cilantro, jalapeno, avocado, masago, spicy mayo - I love cilantro. this rocked my world. note the mention of jalapeno and spicy mayo. If you sweat at the mere sight of spice, this may not be the roll to get on a first date. Umeshisokyu Roll: Plum Paste, Shiso leaf & Cucumber. I love good ume (plum) and i enjoy shiso, which is an acquired taste...think Japanese mint. it's supposed to be good for you. My friends' verdict..."interesting", and said in the tone of the way someone says the photo they just took of you was "interesting", or that your new haircut looks "....cool..." You know what I mean. Tuna Tataki - one of the most impressive special rolls I've seen since I left LA. This had tuna and unagi seared on top with shrimp tempura and tuna on the inside, with ginger and avocado. Something like this would be $24 at Sushi Samba easily. It was half that. They say that personality makes or breaks moderately attractive people - if they've got a beautiful warmth and liveliness about them, that charm is irresistible. conversely, if they sip haterade 24/7, are super emo, crazy pretentious..or are just *gasp* downright boring... then they're the type of person your friends examine at in pictures, "oh, (s)he's so good-looking", forcing you to question their taste or lack thereof because really? You just. can't. see. it. Well, Kyoto's sushi is moderately attractive in terms of taste and price, but the presentation of the food and personality of the restaurant are what by far blow it out of the water for me. They have a sushi bar with two chefs working away and a little blackboard of specials that's not too big or small. For this Goldilocks that searches constantly for consistently satisfying Japanese that's juuuust right, I loved it. No pretensions, no gimmicks, no trendiness. Though I will admit that Kyoto definitely seems "Lincoln Park gentrified" - there's a yuppie sleekness about it that doesn't come naturally to a traditional hole in the wall (or should i say, "garden apartment"). But as my own cupboards look like a page out of the CB2 catalog, that's fine with me. (: Last but certainly not least: free parking in the back. and BYOB - they're very accommodating. I saw several silver champagne holders being brought out for tables, which I thought was really cute.
(4)
John S.

Very good. Used to be a hidden jem but now its a famous jem. Great food great prices, awesome staff. My go to place at least once a month.
(5)
O O.

This is my favorite sushi restuarant in the city for affordable sushi. The rolls are amazing and the fact that it's BYOB is great. I came here on a recommendation from a friend, telling me that they have new management and if I like Coast, this is a good option for more affordable sushi in a closer location. They are open for lunch on weekends, which is my favorite time to go. You can sit at the bar and talk to the chef who makes specialty rolls. My favorites on the menu are the Fiesta and the Spicy Tuna Tataki is MELT IN YOUR MOUTH. It is so incredibly amazing. I crave it for days after. The decor is not fussy and the outside makes it look even less appealing since it's in a strip mall kind of atmosphere....but go here for the food.
(5)
Hideyasu S.

Unlike the other reviews, I enjoyed the taste and freshness of sushi. Yes, they were bit small and pricey. However, all kitchen foods were way below average includes appetizers. I also had $40 (not sure about the exact price) special menu for fresh uni. It came with tiny 4-5 piece of uni with the shell. It was a total ripoff. It was worth $15 max. I didn't really like the service neither; servers and busboy's attitude was below average.
(2)
Christie V.

I've tried a lot of sushi in the city, and this one ranks pretty good. Typical of most sushi spots, tables were tight, but my date and I scored bar seats and we really enjoyed it. We also scored same-day reservations per a voicemail that I left earlier in the day (on a Friday, not to mention). Our server was super cute, friendly and energetic despite it being so busy. Very lively crowd and ambiance. As soon as we sat down, the chef handed over a plate of snowball rolls (white tuna with a chili aioli topping) and they were freaking amazing! I thought the spicy tuna was a bit mediocre, but a few of the specialty rolls really stood out and were excellent. Good for a date or a group.
(4)
Kate N.

Consistent, fresh, yummy...I love this place. We go here all the time and thanks to Groupon featuring this restaurant twice now, we've gotten some great deals w/cupons. Go early on a Fri. or Sat. night because it gets crowded (or make a reservation).
(4)
Emily K.

I went to this restaurant with a group of 14 and we all thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Their sushi is excellent, the fried rice is very good too (though i'd reccommend vegetable fried rice rather than chicken) It is BYOB, which is fun, and the wait staff was very helpful, giving us each separate checks. The prices were fairly reasonable and the ice cream was excellent. People were raving over the Red Bean, but i was a fan of Strawberry Swirl. The tempura shrimp roll was exellent!
(5)
Mark Z.

I may have already reviewed this restaurant in the past with a favorable rating, but now that the twins are gone, it just isn't good. Not worth coming here any more in my opinion. Sorry Kyoto, but I've eaten from your restaurant for the last time. I had takeout today and every roll I ordered was sub par, and fishy.
(2)
Jo K.

I was full---stuffed before we came to the Kyoto... I'm going to start with my Aunt, Ella, who spoke very highly about all the sushi from this place. We took the cab from the magnificent mile to Lincoln park. The front of Kyoto, actually, the ENTIRE street looks very dim almost reminiscent of a scary movie because of the dark street along with the train station nearby. As we walked up to the door, I saw a big sign "B.Y.O.B". At first, I thought of running somewhere to get beer. The men working there, were so nice and welcoming. We were seated right in front of one of the chefs, Melvin. *Sigh* Writing about the food there is quite difficult. About the food, which is why you're reading this, I felt like I was in heaven. I have never had food orgasm but I did... Especially after eating the third dish. I was quite apprehensive,at first, about eating the sushi. The presentation of the dishes, just elegant. It was so pretty, I just wanted to eat it! Each and every dish served had a different taste. It was just tasty. Each sushi, each dish served had an amazing surprising taste. The caviar used was also very good... The best way to seriously describe it is, food orgasm... It was like watching fireworks, the best fireworks---so synchronized... It was almost like each ingredient KNEW when to explode in your mouth... I only wish I knew the names of the dishes served so I could make those suggestions. There was definitely the creamy roll... The salad served in a margarita glass... The dessert---a whole-nother-world... Watching Melvin make each dish was also entertaining... He was almost dancing to a beat... I am now back in NYC without Kyoto... So yes, I was full when I walked in yet I finished every dish served-- all the way to the dessert... Yes, I saw B.Y.O.B but I'm glad I didn't get beer. Otherwise it would have been disturbing sushi taste... Kyoto--- Melvin and Carlo come to NYC!!!
(5)
Melinda W.

I am definitely a regular at Kyoto...I usually order food to go about twice a month from here. My favorite roll of all time is the Crunch Salmon Maki. Doesn't sound like much, but the honey in this makes it fantastic. Another favorite is the Kyoto Maki...a spicy tuna roll taken to the next level. Great service, kind owners, and reasonable prices all make this a go-to BYOB sushi place for me
(4)
Tiem S.

I went here with my wife with our $25 Groupon for $50 worth of sushi. Hey, for a consistent 4+ stars Yelp, this place should be good, right? Ratings can be deceiving... The wait time wasn't too bad for a Friday night even though the place was packed. We were seated and our orders were taken promptly, which included a chirashi bowl, sushi and sashimi, and one of their spicy specialty rolls. However, it took forever for the chirashi and sashimi to come, and when they finally did, we were disappointed at the quality and and quantity. This shouldn't have been a surprise, given that we were seated at their bar and the fish in the chillers didn't look that fresh. Even the tofu in their miso soup tasted a bit off. We had to remind our waiter twice about the specialty roll. When it finally came (a measly five pieces), it tasted like mush and wasn't spicy at all, even by wussy Midwest spicyness standards. Our beverages were frequently refilled the first 15 minutes we were there but then weren't topped off subsequently. Oh yes, it's also BYOB. Perhaps that's why Kyoto is rated to highly - patrons don't remember the sub-par sushi? Even with $25 off, it's wasn't worth the price. We won't be returning.
(2)
Tammy Q.

So I came here when Kyoto hosted a grand re-opening for the restaurant a few months back. They had a drawing for gift certificates and I entered myself (thinking I never win anything -- what the heck?!) Anyhow, I must have had lucky ducks on my side that day since I won a nice gift certificate. I've been nursing this certificate for a while until I invited some sushi loving friends with me to dinner last night. I ordered the mushroom maki and chicken katsu as my entrees. The other four folks wanted to live on the edge and said the sushi experts could make them whatever they wanted. That said, out comes unagi with jalapeno and spicy mayo -- the consensus was that it was damn good and tasted like jalapeno poppers. There was a white tuna dish that came out that everyone devoured. Next, there were three different types of rolls that even made my allergic self salivate! The final dish that came out was a roll that they were instructed NOT to dip into soy sauce -- it was wrapped in avocado instead of rice and looked really good. All I heard was that it was buttery goodness. After reading everyone else's reviews -- I'm really glad to see that people are enjoying this hidden place. The service is super friendly, quick and sushi chefs definitely know how to satisfy a person's palate.
(4)
Ella S.

This place is neat with pretty good maki selection, it is better with BYOB! We got a groupon for $40 and end up having around $70 food. The people are very friendly and there are not a lot available seats even if you come aroun 7pm on Friday night. So better make reservations. We didn t know there is free parking in the rear so we ended by walking two blocks from the street parking we found...with free parking, it is much better. We will come back again.
(4)
Fran R.

My boyfriend and I used our Groupon on coupon last night. We arrived around 7:30 it was busy. But then they sold like 2,300 groupon coupons. Started slowing down a bit aroun 8:30 or so. This place is BYOB. But that was not a problem. They place is small and very pretty. We ordered the combinations, Beef Teriyaki and Sushi & Tempura. The miso soup and seeweed/cuc salad were great. The beef was cooked to order. The tempua is out of this world and the sushi is just wonderful. We also ordered a few pcs of sushi and Maki Mono. Out of this world. It is really worth the money. I think this is one of the best sushi places I have eaten. We will be back.
(5)
Dave F.

Best sushi in town, not even close
(5)
lana v.

This is my favorite sushi place in Chicago for several reasons. They offer free parking right behind the restaurant, the staff and management are very friendly, it is BYOB and the food is excellent! I have been here so many times, with girlfriends, my husband, and my entire family including our toddler. This restaurant is very child friendly, the owner/manager always greets my daughter with a huge smile, gets us an excellent table, and has even sent over free miso soup for her. The snowball appetizer is amazing, as well as the tuna tataki, the creamy, and many other rolls. Both the rolls and the sashimi are always very fresh. I have been to so many sushi restaurants all over Chicago, but this one is hands down my favorite.
(5)
Samantha B.

I recently moved directly next door to Kyoto, so I thought Woo Hoo a Sushi place that I can walk to in under a minute. I gathered up my boyfriend and told a couple of friends to meet us there for an early dinner. We walked in and were seated by a gracious host, off to a good start! Now with this said, I should have looked at Yelp reviews to see what the best items were to order (my big mistake). We started off with vegetable gyoza and edamame, we decided to play it safe...I think this was a bad idea. The edamame was ok, a bit soggy and the gyoza were very tasty but extremely soggy. We also order a bunch of rolls. 1). The Philadelphia Roll (Fresh Salmon, cream cheese and scallions): This roll was my least favorite. It had so much cream cheese that I couldn't taste anything else. Ick 2). Spider Maki (Soft shell crab, cucumber, avocado, masago & mayo): A pretty good roll, it had fantastic texture which I expect from a spider roll; I would recommend this to anyone who likes soft shell crab 3). Kyoto Maki (Spicy tuna, crab, tobiko, tempura unagi): This roll was great. The spicy tuna and crab paired well together and the tempura added a crunchy texture that made the roll perfect. 4). Fiesta Maki (Tuna, Salmon, cilantro, jalapeno, avocado, masago and spicy mayo). This roll was good, but it could have been better. All of the ingredients paired fantastically well together. The reason I ordered this roll is because I LOVE Cilantro and if I could date a pepper, jalapeno would be a front runner. Problem-I couldnt taste the jalapeno or the cilantro. What the heck? Maybe next time I can ask for extra. 5). Fireball (Unagi, avocado, spicy tuna, jalapeno, truffle oil, topped with tempura crunch, chili oil, unagi sauce & wasabi tobiko): MY HANDS DOWN FAVORITE. Remember the spice that was lacking in the fiesta maki? Well I found it in the fireball. This roll was full of flavor and had perfectly paired flavors. I will return just for this roll. As I said earlier in this review, we may have played it too safe. In many other reviews of Kyoto patrons seemed to try the items that were more out of the box. The only out of the box item we ordered was the fireball, which turned out to be my favorite. I struggled with what to rate this place (I wish there was a 3 1/2 stars). Should I give them three or four? Hmmm...as you can see I settled on three stars. Why three? Well the food was good but not some of the best I have ever had. Also, the prices were a bit steep considering some of the best sushi in Chicago offers similar items for a lesser price. Will I come back? Yup...I sure will. Not only is it steps from my apartment but I have so much more to try. I plan on trying the more creative options. We will see what my rating is after I try the creative options. I am actually looking forward to it. Till' next time
(3)
Suana W.

warning: sushi snob alert. i'm from california and have eaten my way through some awesomely fresh and tasty places in LA/SF so i'm pretty picky. i basically categorize sushi into two: saucy rolls vs. traditional sushi/sashimi. this was definitely a saucy roll, asian fusiony type of place. altho my group ordered nigiri omakase, the pieces of nigiri came all decked out with toppings, most of which were really creamy. overall, it was good, but i can't help but think creamy dressings are mostly used to cover the taste of not-as-fresh-as-it-should-be fish. plus they did not have any uni *sad face* also, the sushi chef did not know what yuzu was! whaaaaaaaaat! (and yes, i know how this sounds) altho to be fair, they had decent sweet shrimp. the bill was also higher than i expected, for the quality. anyways, will keep exploring the sushi joints in the Midwest and hopefully settle on a regular place sometime soon!
(3)
cos f.

I loved coming here for years , and then mysteriously they closed... so sad... but now they are open again , with better looking dining room and how can it be better food.... the quality for the price was what kept me coming here first and I never wanted to really tell too many people about this place ...again I have hesitated to write this but I hate for them not to stay open here ... the fish is fresh , and interesting items on the menu . The waitress was a bit scattered and brought us extra food , another diners order, when we told her she had said no problem and we ate that too..but other than that the service was good and attentive. The one odd thing was the addition of a large screen tv that at points was playing mcdonald's commercials ... it was odd to be waiting for a delicious sushi meal and see large screen close ups of bugers... BYOB makes this place a fav...
(4)
Jackie C.

Favorite Sushi place yet I have been to in Chicago~ Creamy Roll, Spicy Tuna Tataki Maki= Yum!
(5)
Jon M.

After reading reviews I tried the Spicy Snowball and it was amazing. Spicy Dragon roll was also great, but had huge pieces of jalapeno, so you'd better like a lot of spice. Sashimi pieces were pretty small. I'd probably just skip them next time and get the house special rolls. The only problem I have now is deciding between Tank or Kyoto for my favorite sushi place.
(5)
Chad I.

Best step down sushi in the city. Ask the chef to prepare his suggestion. Tuna tataki!! Tony is awesome.
(5)
Mike K.

Outstanding food and service...will visit again soon
(5)
Linds R.

Hmm..I don't know if I want to tell everyone how great this place is. Went on a Friday, and we were seated right away, although the hostess seemed a little disappointed (annoyed?) that we didn't have a reservation. We ordered about six rolls, pretty standard ones and a few specials - all were REALLY good. Very very good. I judge sushi places by their spicy tuna rolls, and the flavor here was very good and the tuna was melt-in-your-mouth fresh. My only complaint is that it was the chopped up into pieces tuna, instead of the solid chunk that is my favorite. The service was good not great, but our waitress had some great suggestions on which specials we might like based on the first few rolls we ordered. And...it has free parking...so...thats just the icing on the cake (roe on the roll?).
(4)
Diana T.

I absolutely adore this place. I can't believe I haven't written a review yet. I first checked out this restaurant at an opening party where there was free food, drinks, and prizes! Since then, I have eaten here a few times and each time, I am thoroughly impressed. Some faves are the spicy snowball, spicy crab salad, creamy roll, summer dragon roll, and rainbow roll just to name a few. Last night, when my GFs and I arrived, they even gave us a free appetizer which was so yummy: tako balls with bonito flakes on top. The service is impeccable, our glasses were never empty, and BYOB never felt like BYOB because they take care of everything. I think if you go on a Monday or Tuesday (might have to call and ask) some rolls and apps are 50% off!
(5)
Bethany L.

My former roommate had been raving about this place for months, and was really sad when they closed for remodeling. She finally dragged me here yesterday for dinner, and I will most definitely be back. First, we got a big free plate of edamame that was perfectly salty. The asparagus beef rolls that we got as an appetizer were to die for - huge, tender strips of beef wrapped around crispy roasted asparagus, doused in thick, salty brown sauce. I got an order of Philadelphia Maki and Shrimp Tempura Maki, my sushi mainstays. They were the best versions I'd had in a long time; neither are easy rolls to screw up, but these were especially good. Loved that they had scallions in the Philadelphia Roll, and the Shrimp Tempura was rolled in really fresh, crispy tempura flakes. My roommate swears by the Chicken Teriyaki platter, which is MASSIVE and includes the chicken, four Cailfornia Rolls, a really good fresh turnip salad, and a small serving of tempura, plus miso beforehand. We got all of this for just about $40 with our 20% coupon, and it was well worth it. Service was great; our waitress was attentive and friendly without bothering us, and the atmosphere is very chill and conducive to long conversations. We'll be back!
(5)
Reginald M.

In a word- excellent! The sushi is very fresh and delicious. The service very good. Fast, friendly and attentive. The sushi boat has a nice variety. If you don't mind some meat for an appetizer you have to order the beef wrapped asparagus. Wow! Amazing. This place is BYOB but we forgot to bring a bottle. But it didn't matter.
(5)
Danielle C.

~Get your group on and Go!!! BYOB Incredible rolls. I loved the caterpillar, the Kyoto, the snowball, the miami.... don't play it safe here. Experiment. You will not regret.. I cannot wait to go back- again, and again, and again!!!!
(4)
Hyungsup L.

Kyoto sushi is good place to go and enjoy sushi. It has great service. Since they have groupon deal, I tried at first. All the roll was great. BYOB is always good. I will definitely try one more time. And don't forget to try spicy snowball roll.
(4)
Sarah S.

I didn't even liked Sushi that much before trying this place, the notion of raw fish was kinda strange for me. But I really loved what I had in Kyoto. Try Jaja sake and their signature Sushi rolls:)
(5)
Jacqueline N.

Kyoto + Groupon = Bomb Dinner! We were jonesy-ing for some sushi and came around a Groupon for Kyoto and decided to try out some of their specialty rolls. It was nice to come on a weekday without a lot of people because it is quite a small establishment and seems understaffed. But the quality of sushi has been much better than other places I have tried. Let's get into the rolls! Dishes we ordered include: 1. Spicy Snowball Appetizer ($10): consisted of rice spheres topped with seared white tuna, spicy mayo, scallions, soaked in soy sauce and truffle oil. Surprising delicious start to this meal! Fish was partially cooked and the spices were very light, not extremely spicy so it was the perfect kick to make you go YUM! 2. Crunchy Salmon Roll ($10.50): had salmon, cucumber, spicy mayo topped with avocado, honey and crunch mix. The flavors of this roll was not as pronounced but the avocado was kind of mushed up like guacamole. It was decent but not the most outstanding roll because the flavors kind of blended together on the bland side.... it still provided a nice balance to the other more eccentric rolls. 3. Binion Roll ($14): is a realllly interesting roll! It is made of shrimp tempura, cream cheese (eh?), avocado, spicy mayo, wasabi mayo, unagi sauce and tobiko. I think that this was a bit spicy, super wasabi-y, BUT the cream cheese toned down this roll! I dont know how but it worked really well and tasted quite interesting/oddly delicious all together! 4. Creamy Roll ($17): Their infamous Creamy Roll! This roll had shrimp tempura, eel, sweet crab rolled in avocado topped with mayo/unagi sauce. I was expected greatness from this roll... but it came up a bit short because, yes it was creamy, and yes the flavors worked wonderfully together. I kind of expected more savory and overall substance in each bite. Avocado was just a hair overwhelming in each bite. But it was still a completely delightful roll and you definitely should try this Kyoto specialty when visiting! Our overall experience here was great, the ambiance was dimly lit and romantic. Perfect for date nights. Food was very good but not as "mindblowing" as it could have been (especially for their creamy roll). But still very good and worth a return! Parking was just *facepalm* frustrating.... BUT it wasn't until I got to the menu that I saw a little side note "Free Parking in Back"?? I will definitely take advantage of that for the next trip to Kyoto!!
(4)
Yasmin S.

I am in love with sushi and this place makes me love sushi even more. I came in with a Groupon with a couple of friends and we maxed out on about 6 different rolls. I would recommend the Dynamite Maki and the Crunch Salmon. You won't be upset.
(4)
Victoria S.

Great neighborhood spot!! With awesome Groupons! My husband and I love sitting at the sushi bar when we go and we always have to order the Spicy Crab Salad. Its Ah-MAZING!! crunch, spicy, seaweed. What else could you ask for? The avocado roll is great too, but we really enjoy all of them! The owner and staff are always so nice and its BYOB which is always awesome. Don't forget your reservations on Friday and Saturday's....it gets busy!
(5)
Natalia K.

I'd come back for a couple of their rolls that I enjoyed here, but I won't be winning a race to get here. It was ok. The table arrangement is super awkward and when we arrived at a crowded restaurant, we were squished in between two couples. Doesn't leave much room for romance, but I guess they want to be able to fit in as many people as they can in a small space. Thing is, we were so cramped in with others that I wonder if the waitress thought we had already been served. She didn't take our order for a while and then we had to wait for a long time to get our food. But it was hard to distinguish the parties at the cafeteria-style seating in the middle. Fortunately for us, the couples on either side left soon after we sat down so we could have some breathing room. Our groupon allowed us $45 worth of food, and with the prices, that wasn't going to be hard to do. One of us ordered an oyster shooter as an app and didn't receive it until after we got our sushi, even though she saw it sitting out on the counter for some time. Weird. We ordered five rolls: creamy, kyoto, fiesta, dragon, and caterpillar. I'm a fan of anything with eel, shrimp tempura, cucumber, and avocado, so the dragon and caterpillar are usually two of my favorites and they were good here too. The creamy, was oh so creamy. We couldn't stop talking about how creamy it was. The contents of the roll are wrapped in avocado and nothing else. You are told to pick it up with your fingers, which is messy and squishy. It is delicious, absolutely, and this is the unique roll I would come back for, but it's a pretty rich roll to eat all by itself- so definitely order a ricey/seaweedy roll to eat along with it. The kyoto and fiesta rolls were just ok- nothing too special and the ends of the rolls weren't even filled, so for the price, that was disappointing. Overall, our dining experience was a-ok: the food was good, but nothing out of this world, the prices were a bit much, and the service was a bit lacking, but it was nothing to be upset about- the groupon and good company helped.
(3)
Gdhs R.

Love Sushi and love this place. Great atmosphere and service! Highly recommended and it's really a wonderful experience. I will be back!!
(5)
Bea K.

I love going to Kyoto for sushi! They're signature rolls are fantastic - worth the price! They're regular rolls aren't that great, which is why I subtracted a star because I think that even though it's not a signature dish it should still taste good but I'll never make that mistake again. If you only order the signature rolls then you're golden and you'd probably give this place 5 stars but I really like my spider roll and it's a shame I can't order it here. Also, I really think for the price of the sushi, miso & edamame should be included with your meal and not extra.
(4)
Chloe T.

The staff was quick, attentive and friendly! Started with the mussels which I have had here before. MmmMmm! Followed by 2 entrees that was excellent-Tonkatsu and teriyaki steak. Byob! Definitely will be back. We had a groupon which made it am even better.
(5)
b a.

1. Owner/manager nice. 2. Waitress bad. 3. Hair in my food---disgusting! Not much more needs to be said, won't be back. Had a groupon. Nothing like it was when we had dined a few years ago when Vizconde bros. had owned the joint... Oh well...
(1)
Elina S.

Okay, so I really wanted to love this place and truly thought I would, but it definitely disappointed on many levels. Considering there are many places in Chicago like Coast and Toro which offer both incredible sushi and fantastic service, I don't even know why I bother finding other sushi joints, well I know why, I never know if I might be pleasantly surprised. Well, Kyoto just didn't do it. From the moment we came in, the guy who greeted us had an attitude and was like "your whole party needs to be here before we can seat you." That's no problem, but his tone was. Then we got like the worst table in the house, literally in between two tables sitting right next to your neighbors. I get the place isn't huge and it was full but seriously space us out just a little. I mean it isn't supposed to be communal seating. I've never felt that tight at a place, so uncomfortable. When i asked for another table, that same guy was like "nope, sorry full house tonight." Well we had a reservation just like everyone else, and if we got there before a certain table, why couldn't we get that table? I don't understand that. The place doesn't have much charm, it didn't look super clean either and pretty dark inside. Now onto the food, it was all a okay. The creamy roll that everyone talks about was wayyy to creamy and I'm sorry for $17 it was definitely not worth it. The only fish it has was shrimp tempura which from what I recall shouldn't cost $17. I wouldn't get it again although it did look pretty. The hand rolls which looked great on yelp pics, were super small, lacking fish and flavor. I ate it in two small bites so they are definitely a rip off here. The spicy salmon roll was eh, definitely had better. My friends didn't like their tuna tataki either. The only roll I did enjoy was the crunchy salmon filled with salmon, crunchy stuff, honey, spicy mayo and it did say masago but our roll definitely didn't have any masago and was $10.50. So, overall food was just a okay, but the service was horrible. Like I said, the guy working there was not nice at all to our table. We had servers switch in between without any notice, she kinda just disappeared on us. The new girl messed up my friends sushi order. Here's what I didn't like, I get this place is byob, so yay, but no one ever told us there was a corkage fee of $5 per bottle. We opened up two bottles but could have easily had one and were charged $10 for that. They give you these yummy cucumbers in the beginning and my friend asked for some more, she said no problem. We were also charged an additional $4 for that little plate. A little heads up would have been nice. I don't mind that they charge for spicy mayo and eel sauce as many places do, but I was charged for avocado for one roll instead of cucumber, also without any indication. It's like ladies, speak up, give us a little heads up before the bill comes. So overall, the experience was disappointing not as much on food as it was on service. I will definitely not be back as there are many many other better places in Chicago. Sorry, Kyoto, won't even come back with a groupon.
(2)
Allison B.

I LOVE kyoto sushi! It is always fresh and delicious. The creamy roll (wrapped in avocado rather than rice) is my favorite. They are good with large groups and don't mind splitting checks. It's also nice that kyoto is BYOB. My friends and I go here at least once a month and there is usually a groupon or living social deal available. My favorite sushi place in Chicago by far!
(5)
Maya E.

The good: Food The bad: Ambiance The horror: Service It was a dark summer night in Chicago. We rode our bikes to Kyoto, I just bought the groupon on my iphone 5s gold. Me and my boyfriend were seated at the best seat in the house, a roomy booth in the corner. The restaurant was packed. The blue neon light set a romantic atmosphere. Or maybe it was my man. He was also wearing blue. It's byob and the crowd was very loud because of all the spirits. My boyfriend and I didn't drink because we are straight edge vegan. He ordered the steak teriyaki entree, pork gyoza potstickers, and I ordered two signature rolls. We had the pot stickers and they were very out-of-this-worldinary... the sauce was spicy. My boyfriend loves spicy so he ordered another one before we even finished out first! (LOL, we're trying to put on mass.) We sat for a while, empty plates in front of us. The table was cleared, and we asked for the check. The waitress said we still had potstickers coming. We asked to cancel them because we had already finished the main courses, and because we ordered the potstickers a long time ago. She was a little argumentative but eventually said okay. An additional five minutes later, she came back to the table, this time not with our check, but with the potstickers. They looked good. We tried to cancel our order previously, so there was a little back and forth banter. I thought the most awkward part of the meal was when the waitress snapped, "Fine, I'll pay for them" and literally snatched the potstickers away. But that was not the most awkward part!! The most awkward part of the night was when she returned with the check, she quickly walked past our table and threw the check down, without saying a word. SO passive aggressive! The pot stickers were taken off the check, so one star for that. My boyfriend was outraged and her attitude, and had a hard time sleeping that night because of it. I would probably not come back even though the food is so good. I am too personally offended.
(4)
C M.

A very cozy but nice place. Very good service and good sushi. I would recommend this place.
(4)
Emily S.

Service was really good. Food however, not so much. The ahi-poke portion was super small in relation to the price. The cucumber in the house salad was sour. The sushi was also eh. The creme brule dessert was surprisingly good, but weird that a Japanese restaurant offers that? Would not go back really wasn't impressed.
(2)
Brittany K.

One of my absolute favorite sushi places in the city. They always do their best to accommodate you without a reservation, although I would recommend making one. Their sushi is delicious and their service is great. They always are willing to make great recommendations for you and are open to any changes/substitutions or additions you want to make to your rolls. This is my go to sushi place and the fact that it is BYOB makes it even better!
(5)
Mad I.

First things first: best customer service ever! The major bummer: sushi is teeny tiny w/ barely any fish and very, very pricey. Didn't have a groupon(which it seems would ease the sticker shock). 1 app, 2 modest rolls& 1 simple maki, byob (1 btl wine) tab before tip:$56 YIKES The owner (I'm assuming) was so so nice! Held a table for us, didnt mind when we went to get wine (in fact told us where to go) & checked on us personally several times. I wanted to love the sushi but I did have a sneaking feeling that since it was the only place in the neighborhood not packed, there might be sub par sushi looming... The snowball roll everyone raved about is like $15 and each bite is..well about 1/4 to a 1/2 bite. Somewhat tasty, very slim sliver of white tuna. Miami (from chicagos best) is a decent fried roll, but no raw fish to justify that price Spicy tuna: meh... Not to fresh or yummie at all Kyoto roll: very underwhelming, no fish to be found, very pricey Yelpers I don't get it, maybe you haven't been around as much sushi to know that this place should really be skipped! Sorry Kyoto!! A++ for customer service, but the sushi is at the bottom of my list :(
(2)
Amy T.

This place has a really hipster and romantic feel to it. I think it melds in with the neighborhood. Though finding parking was a bit difficult, this was a pretty good experience. The service was friendly, yet confusing because the waitress who took the order was different from the one who served... and was also different from the one who gave us the tab. We were checked on by two different waiters/ waitress and got our water filled in no time :) The food was pretty good, though a lot of the items were overpriced (know how business roll.. the more expensive it is, the more frequent it is ordered by patrons). I tried the oyaku noodle dish (spelling?) which had crab meat (imitation...), mushrooms, and some other veggies in there. It was pretty good considering the soup was more like broth. What got me disgusted was the noodles since it melted in my mouth and left a powdery feeling. I was quite dismayed by that. I'm not sure if the soup and noodles were a good combination since it started to taste like soap. As for the tempura, this totally win my heart. It was dredged in oil (tissue paper) but was tasty with the sauce that complimented it. This place won't be good for people who care for the environment. I smelled some chemicals radiating from the one-use chopsticks while I ate. This was particularly displeasing. All in all, the service was awesome along with ambience. The tables were pretty close to each other so it can be pretty difficult to have a private conversation. I spent my night eavesdropping the neighboring table on their plans and calculating the tab. LOL.
(3)
Kristen S.

Kyoto had great service, sushi was delish, and the ambiance was pretty cool. It was crowded for a random week night, which is a great sign. They accommodated my gluten allegy quite easily and we had such a great time. Roll after roll after roll... :) Very happy. We will be back.
(4)
Amy X.

Here because of Groupon. A friend of mine has a Groupon for Kyoto. It was my first time here. I was seated immediately but the waitress got quite awkward when I told her that I'll be waiting for my friends first. Before I start, I went there starving and I felt like I cant eat absolutely anything any moment. Anyways, we started to order. I remember I ordered two salmon by the piece, a tuna roll, and shrimp by the piece. The sushi was okay. Nothing stood out really. My friends ordered some rolls as well. It all came in a boat. But I didn't think it was necessary because we didn't really ordered that much to begin with. The rolls looked dull. Everything was simply... okay. Despite being really hungry, I wasn't too amazed by the sushi there. It was quite a good deal though, with the Groupon. So if you in the neighborhood and if you are craving for sushi, Kyoto is a safe bet. Oh! Although it was street parking, it wasn't hard to find a spot, always a plus.
(3)
Mustafa A.

Excellent sushi rolls and very good service. Love the byob that they have and the atmosphere there. Very friendly people. Definetly recommend it.
(5)
Aaron W.

It pains me to see some very bitter reviews on Kyoto; out of the many times I've been here, I've only had the best experience on every end of the spectrum. The place can get busy because it's popular and if people want personal space when eating, then I suggest they stay at home. In addition to staying at home, if you do not want noise in the busy restaurant you're eating at, then please make a sign in large letters, label it, "Restaurant" and hang it in your kitchen. Then, remain in your kitchen. Of course you can have the Kyoto experience if you do the above and are also capable of creating excellent sushi with your two hands. If not, then STFU or I'll PYIYFFJ. Well, there is carry-out too so maybe I'll just settle down now. So subtract the negative reviews and if you're going for dinner, make a reservation. One of the best experiences I had was actually early evening when the place was empty. If you have the chance to sit at the sushi bar without other patrons, do it. Talk to the chefs about what you like and they will just whip some magic up, easy peazy. Otherwise, all the roles are fantastic, I find the Kyoto Maki and find the Spicy Snowball (appetizer) to be freakishly good. If you do make it in there and it's busy and you must wait, I recommend bringing some wine. One of the managers was kind enough to open and pour us a glass of our wine while we waited to be seated. He also put it in an ice bucket as well. Good service is out there, people. Oh, and don't let the fact that it's in a basement discourage you, it's real nice inside.
(5)
Elyse K.

First off, I will preface that this restaurant is pretty small- it seems like if you were going for a date, this might be a decent place. However, I didn't go as a date. I went as part of a party of about 15 after we called numerous places and were assured ahead of time that Kyoto could easily handle a group of our size. They were not able to and they REALLY should limit the size of parties allowed, perhaps to ten guests maximum. To add to that, there were two other large parties (10+) that night. It was chaos. I understand that there was a lot going on, but service was slow, the sushi mediocre, the entrees mediocre- my asparagus beef rolls were very overcooked, and the volume in the restaurant was so loud that we could not have conversations easily. I can't say for sure that I would be willing to go back.
(2)
Brittany H.

Kyoto is a hidden gem for byob sushi in the area. It is literally sort of hidden, it's on fullerton but you have to look for it. I first came here for my girlfriend's birthday, and they have a semi-closed off section with a large table perfect for a big group. I was encouraged to try the 'snowball' which I am definitely glad I did. I have a semi-serious addition to truffle oil, which they put in a variety of their rolls. Truffle oil + sushi= sushi heaven. The ginger salad is also pretty big compared to other places, and definitely one of the best I've tried. The place isn't too big but doesn't feel overly crowded. The only downside is the corking fee, but when you're drinking a $5 bottle of wine like I usually am, you def can't complain.
(5)
Jieqiong C.

It's not a good place to go with friends. It's noisy because there are so many consumers here. The food is fine. I like crunch salmon rool.
(3)
Selena G.

I was REALLY excited to try this place, because it had good reviews on Google and it was right by SpaceTime Tanks. Unfortunately the food was very mediocre. The only thing that saved them was the wonderful service from the waitress, who got a very generous tip for her amazing service. Maybe it was an off night for the chef. Not sure if I'll return.
(1)
Jet L.

Used the group on- Read the yelp reviews so I was hoping this place would be a new sushi place to frequent....... nope. You can do better!
(2)
Amy G.

Asked for chef's choice (based on our favorite types of fish) and we were satisfied beyond our wildest expectations! Our cordial waitress, Iris, was fantastic in relaying our wants and explaining each dish with a true purpose. Our chef, Victor, took the time to create authentic and mind-blowing dishes. Definitely come here! Best sushi experience in a while!
(5)
Victoria J.

Wonderful place. Highly recommend. Small place so if u have a big group you should make a reservation.
(5)
Rittwika R.

We have been eating a lot of sushi lately and so we took a chance when we across a groupon for this place.I was blown away. Their sushi is very innovative .We tried the chef's choice party roll and the creamy..Both were fabulous.Service was swift and friendly . I am going to be a regular here groupon or not. Still I bought 2 groupons even before leaving the establishment
(5)
John L.

Wow. Great place all around. Price- Little on the higher side, but its for good stuff Quality- Great. There was one that had this truffle oil- amazing! Also the asparagus wrapped in a teriyaki beef thing was fantastic. Quantity- You can fill up from here Atmosphere- it's underground so you would have a preconception, but when you go through the doors its a very vibrant place Staff- Very very helpful and personable
(5)
Amoli P.

I had been to Kyoto months ago and had a wonderful experience. Sadly, last night's experience was not at the same level of quality or taste. The nice thing about Kyoto is that they are always offering Groupon deals and it's nice to switch up our sushi rotation. We started with the spicy snowball appetizer and it was delicious heaven, just as it was before. A delicate torched taste that blends perfectly with the dash of truffle oil and eel sauce. My only complaint is that we always just get one order and regret not getting 2 orders later on. Unfortunately, this is where the enjoyment stopped. We ordered 3 rolls - Creamy, Crunchy Salmon, and Fiesta. The rolls were completely different from the last time I was at Kyoto. The tuna and salmon were mushy and did not taste fresh at all. The rolls were cut into huge bites and assembled a bit sloppy. And the flavors were not crisp or sharp, everything tasted old and mashed together. The Crunch Salmon roll was probably the best of the 3. Mostly because the tempura flakes helped to hide the overall mushiness of the rest of the ingredients. The Fiesta roll had tuna that had the consistency of grape jam and the Creamy roll was wrapped in avocado so old and mushy that we couldn't even pick up the pieces with chopsticks. It was a very disappointing visit. I'm not ready to write Kyoto off yet, because as I said, my first visit was delicious. However, I will tread cautiously next time and only with a Groupon. I'm not sure if last night was an off-night or the norm, but it will take a third visit to break the tie. Other notable items: The restaurant is BYOB, so be sure to bring your favorite beverage. The atmosphere is a nice underground vibe, relaxed and dim. The service is good and friendly, but the place was quite packed last night and they seemed to only have 1 or 2 servers working, so we waited quite a bit for everything. Parking is easy to get right on the street outside.
(2)
Travis D.

Kyoto breathes life back into Chicago's dead customer service. I ordered a few sushi rolls at Kyoto for take-out and the waiter offered to deliver the order to my car so I didn't have to pay for parking.
(5)
Kristen H.

Kyoto is a solid spot and when there's a groupon offer it's even that much sweeter!! I always enjoy the everything we order. Tonight to change it up, we tried the Eight Ball and it was a good switch from our usual Snow Ball appetizer. Both are very similar and have great flavor profiles. Another staple is the spicy boat - OMG what a great selection of rolls and hits the jackpot for spicy! One of my ultimate favorite rolls here is the SPICY TUNA TATAKI MAKI. For some reason the seared tuna makes each bite of this roll absolutely delightful. Thanks Kyoto for always being a great pick for BYOB sushi. I heart you!
(5)
Heath S.

Great service. Had a reservation and was seated immediately ahead of those that walked in. The food was excellent and had a great menu to choose from. BYOB. Will definitely be going back.
(5)
Kim L.

I thought the food here was good but the service was not. We were only 1 of about 5 tables when we placed our order and it took nearly 45 minutes. My friend ordered a meal that included Rice and Soup. They never brought her soup and when we asked for it the waitress just responded "Oh yeah I forgot. I mean... did you want it?" She was pretty rude and made us feel uncomfortable.
(2)
Kate S.

I've always been wary of sushi places, having both shellfish and soy allergies (I know, I'm lucky). But I was blown away by Kyoto. Like, grabby hands "I WANNA GO BACK" love. We walked in at 6:00p on a Saturday with a party of 6, and were seated immediately. There was a slight snag, as we were told that a table was available, but we would have to be finished by 8:00p. We were totally cool with it, but made a note to have a reservation next time. It was very gracious of them to accommodate us. I mentioned my allergies to the manager and waitstaff, and was assured that I would be completely safe. They even told me their process they use for allergic patrons, which I appreciated. Our group ordered 2 spicy snowballs and an eight ball from the starter menu. There were 8 or 9 pieces of sushi on each plate. And it was BANANAS. The sushi itself was absolutely delicious. The fish tasted like ocean, and wasn't fishy at all. There was a little heat, but it was a subtle heat that lingered instead of lopping your head off with pain. Our entire group was full after only 3 plates of sushi. It doesn't hurt that we got a stellar Groupon ($20 for $40 worth), either. It's worth noting that Kyoto is BYOB with a $5 corkage fee per bottle. It was a little loud at times, and I was surprised to see television screens playing football, but they didn't detract from my experience. Overall, I loved Kyoto and want to go back as soon as humanly possible. Finding an allergy-friendly sushi place can be like pulling teeth, but Kyoto was helpful with my questions and fears. And be sure to call ahead for reservations.
(5)
Victor C.

This is definitely one of my favorite sushi spots in the city. I have been here a handful of times and I have yet to be disappointed. I first found this spot looking for a restaurant that offered gluten free options for my fiance and surprisingly the waitstaff are always great about answering any allergen questions we have. We tend to find groupons for Kyoto often which is a plus. Im not much of a drinker but the byob option is awesome. Although this place is small I always get seated quickly but usually I call for reservations at least an hour ahead. There is parking in the back which is super convenient for the area it is located in. The Japanese Fried Rice is my go to dish and the ACC Maki Rolls to start.
(5)
Jim S.

I'll give them high marks for atmosphere, and the tempura fried unagi was itself worth four stars, but the mediocre to flavorless rolls and the absolutely unheard of corkage fee...at a BYOB place...for a couple bottles of beer drop it down to nearly 1. My god, I can understand corkage fees if you've got a full bar and someone shows up with a bottle of wine, but don't try to tell me it's common for BYOB restaurants to charge people for bringing their own B! I love BYOB places. Don't try to gouge me, and when caught out, don't play coy.
(2)
David R.

We got the creamy roll (which was indeed, creamy) and the fire maki (which was not at all fiery). Honestly, just mediocre, over-priced sushi. I used a groupon so I didn't leave feeling cheated, but I wasn't overjoyed. The service was fine. The people were nice. It just...eh...just wasn't there.
(2)
Marilynn L.

The place itself has a hip feel to it. I felt like I was in for some good grubbin' when I walked in. Dimly lit and the location is very nice. The hostess was polite enough and sat us down. Our waitress was quite impersonal because she never even told us her name. Oh, and if you like your elbow room, which I do, you may not like the seating arrangement. We were ultra close to a couple on a date and it was a bit uncomfortable. Looking at the menu, I felt the selection was a bit shallow. I'm a big sushi fan and they had the same sushi over and over again but just named (and priced) differently. I gave it a shot anywho. We ordered the Pork Gyoza which was pretty good especially with the sauce on the side. We also had the Crunch salmon maki (not enough crunchy), New York maki (very plain and the soy sauce added the taste), Shrimp tempura maki (this was the one that was pretty tasty - just crunchy enough) and Yaki soba (a few noodles on a plate, add some veggies - that's all). I feel somewhat bad for giving this only 2/5 stars but the main star of a SUSHI restaurant should be the sushi - not the decor.
(2)
Brandon T.

Came here with a friend of mine last night. Tried a few different roles, and some sashimi pieces (super white tuna, snapper, etc.) Several of the sushi roles had odd things in them such as green peppers, and lettuce? Also the sashimi is more expensive than extremely nice places i've been in NYC, or anywhere in the city for that matter.. I received a text at 5AM this morning that she has now become violently ill, and is having me come over to take her to urgent care as she hasn't stopped being sick for 7 hours. You would think at $4/piece for sashimi the fish would be extremely fresh? Turns out its not. If you are looking for a sushi place, there are plenty in Chicago that won't make you sick.
(1)
Natasha F.

Definitely a notch above your typical mid-range neighborhood sushi spot. I was initially saddened by the seemingly itty-bitty size of the nigiri, but then the freshness of the fish reminded me that quality trumps quantity, especially when it comes to raw fish. They offer a discount if you have tickets that evening at a nearby theater, including the top-notch Victory Gardens. Be sure to ask your server.
(4)
Heidi R.

Solid sushi place, minus the SLOW service and long wait for the food. Great location, byob and very yummy sushi rolls! The creamy sushi roll, although expensive is worth every penny. The other rolls were pretty good too - spicy shrimp, spicy tuna, california and one of my all time favorite rolls - the sweet potato! So good. My gripe is the slow service, we actually had to ask when our edimame would be ready. Which is weird because that should take minutes to serve. Owell, the food is so good I will def be back!
(4)
Jamie H.

The sushi was just fine, really nothing special but the place was packed. My friend had been trying to make a reservation for 7 at 7 on Friday all day, he left a message and it wasn't until 630 that they called and told him they could squeeze us in. The waitress had told my friend that we needed to leave by 830 so they could have the room for another reservation, fine, no big deal. Service was pretty terrible. She didn't take any orders when people first started arriving, I had to ask multiple times for a wine glass and when she dropped our food off, she said "any last call for food orders?" Uhhhh, we just got our food how are we supposed to know? So, my friend ordered two more rolls and turn turned around to see if anybody else wanted anything...and the waitress just took off. Uhhh, OK? When she came back we tried to order some more food, and very rudely said "Um, well I know I told your friend that you had to leave at 830...." Luckily another friend said he did not appreciate the way she was talking to us and that we were doing them a favor by coming in as we would have just taken our business elsewhere, and he asked to speak to the manager. He spoke with the manager and we were able to get a few more orders of food and were out shortly after, all we wanted was a little more food.
(2)
Michael A.

A nondescript place in a nondescript building. But the food is EXCELLENT. I will preface this by saying I am NOT a sushi fan. I eat it because my wife likes it. Id never say "lets go out for sushi." But the food here is excellent!!! Perhaps the greatest sushi Ive ever eaten is the "Creamy" Sushi wrapped in avocado. NO seaweed. And I hate the seaweed. Thats why I hate sushi. So the creamy was AMAZING. If I could have all my sushi wrapped in avocado, Id eat it daily. Go here. Eat here. Enjoy here. And order the "Creamy" roll. If you dont, well, thats your loss!
(3)
Kristie F.

Stumbled into a random sushi joint to grab a bite to eat before we headed a few blocks over to see a jazz show. Thumbs up for the good service and overall cute, low-key, hip ambiance of the place... but the FOOD: why was the sushi so tiny? where was my salmon on my salmon roll!? salmon hand roll... more like salmon finger roll!!!! This place is BYOB. Something different I've never experienced! Maybe I should've downed some and trick myself into thinking I was paying for good quality sushi...
(2)
Cristina R.

i found this place on GroupOn and it was totally worth it ... very nice environment, friendly staff, BYOB :) ill be back soon ;)
(5)
Mandy M.

Kyoto is on the pricey side depending on what you order, but it's sushi, so you have to expect to drop some extra cash. What you've heard is right: the spicy/creamy snowballs are their thing, and it's worth it if you're stopping in. What I liked most about Kyoto was their staff. From our server to our runner to the manager, everyone stopped by our table to make sure we had everything we needed, and shared their expertise and favorites. It was clear they had a passion for well-made sushi, and it made it more than just dinner, but a dining experience.
(4)
Lena D.

Great sushi and wonderful wait staff.
(5)
Howard L.

Wow, this place is something. I've never had Japanese/asian fusion as opposed to the traditional sushi servings. The servings were a feast for the eyes as well as the tummy. At $42 per person, it's not cheap, but we did get 21 different servings, and each was unique and special (check the photos for samplings). Looking back, we got a lot of food for the $ actually, so I also can't say that it was overly pricey. The sushi quality was also as good as it gets in my experience. There were a couple that I remember that just melted in your mouth - the super white tuna ("snowball"), and whatever fish was in the fried avocado rolls. I also found the fried jalepeno rolls, mixed seafood in clamshell ("dynamite"), and sushi with mint leaves to be particularly memorable. Carlo and Melvin are the twin sushi chefs. They apparently have a loyal following, and deservedly so, and one of them is my nephew who recommended the place to us and arranged our meal. Overall - great place for high quality, contemporary sushi and presentation, and a special night out. It's also BYOB. Parking tip: turn onto Altgeld street at Lincoln just south of restaurant, and enter their parking lot in rear. Free parking in Lincoln Park - it's so atypically convenient for the area, so use it!
(5)
Rebecca N.

Delicious sushi that delivers! I got a small order of just the spicy snowball and house salad. The house salad was very big and had a great ginger dressing. The snowball was a bit weird, but it was different and had a lot of flavor. I would order again from here in a moment! It is also BYOB so I would like to dine in the restaurant next time.
(4)
Ali W.

Got the deal on Groupon so I came here with a group of friends last night. The service was super slow and the sushi was very bad (bad quality)...it wasnt worth it!!! Will not come back here again!!! Do not come here if u want good quality of sushi!!!
(1)
Whitney J.

Pricey, but worth it. I visit here a lot because I work next door. The staff is always friendly and the sushi is phenomenal. They have tolls to satisfy the traditionalist and the adventure seekers (the creamy roll is like sushi heaven). I've never been disappointed with my orders here. A++ Possibly the best sushi in the city.
(5)
Jerry Y.

We went to Kyoto last (Sat) night because we bought a groupon after reading great reviews about the food. When we walked in we immediately knew it was a mistake; the whole place was extremely noisy due to the small dining area size and packed with people.The tables were literally next to each other except for the larger ones reserved for bigger group. Because the decibel levels were extremely high, people had to literally yell to hear one another above the noisy din. We could hear nearly everyone's conversation. We wished we've brought along some ear plugs. We hurriedly ordered our food and then got the heck out of there before we got deaf! If you're looking for a quiet, romantic dinner this is NOT the place to go, regardless of how good the food review is, unless you want to bring in noise-cancellation headphones. Bottom line: OK food, Lousy ambience, unless you like noise. JY
(1)
Tricia D.

I'm full. Carry me. Okay, so you know that whole fave five deal that phone providers offer you when you sign onto their plans? This would be the fave five I call at Kyoto for some comfort (food). And mind you, this has been whittled down from a plethora of like 15 different items that I tried here. 1. Jalapeno pepper, cream cheese, and eel... thingymabobs... to make it easier for you, it's called unagi tempura. There. I looked it up. You're welcome. It's like a firecracker on your plate! 2. Yellowtail sushi - it's been scorched and torched, and you can taste it. I likey. The sesame seeds provide a good contrast in texture too. 3. The baby scallops and shrimp covered in spicy mayo, served in a flaming oyster shell. Dynamite it is. 4. Winter may be over, but I want the "snowball" all year round: albino white tuna served on top of perfect spheres of rice, topped with the edible part of a sea urchin called uni and truffle. 5. Salmon belly - so meaty, AND I get my omega-3s. Booyah! You won't leave here disappointed. BYOB, and BYOA(ppetite).
(5)
Adam M.

I'll get the bad stuff out of the way first. It takes a long time to get your food and it is rather pricey. Ok now that we got that over with on to the good stuff because sometimes you just have to be willing to wait and pay a little extra for some great food. The sushi here is awesome. I came here with my girlfriend and ordered one House Specialty roll and four normal rolls for our meal then we got one more Specialty roll for dessert because we wanted more tasty goodness! The highlight of our meal was definitely the Creamy Roll. The price point may steer some people away at $17, but let me tell you it's worth every penny. In fact this may be the single best sushi roll I have EVER had. If you come here you MUST try the Creamy Roll. Some other highlights of our meal was the Spicy Tuna Tataki (When they say spicy the mean SPICY), the Shrimp Tempura, the Philadelphia, The Dragon and last but not least my 2nd favorite Maki roll of the night the Sweet Potato. If you're in the mood for some real good sushi then search no further than Kyoto Sushi.
(4)
Elizabeth A.

Free parking in the back -- yea! Other than that, we were underwhelmed. The Spicy Snow Balls were good but tiny. Everything else was just not at all remarkable. On top of that, service was terribly slow.
(3)
Dave A.

If you are looking for a good sushi place in Lincoln Park, steer clear of this place. There were 5 people in our group with 2 rolls a piece. It took 45 minutes for all our food to come out, staggered heavily thoughout those 45 minutes. As I looked longingly at my rolls sitting on the counter I wondered why the waiter wouldn't bring it to me. I realized the waiter was more interested in talking to the table next to us and taking a shot than checking to see if we had even gotten our sushi. Once we got it, it wasn't even good. Totally not worth the wait! Worst service ever and will never go back!
(1)
Mary C.

This place experienced a pretty major upgrade since I was last here several years ago. The sushi is terrific. The staff are excellent - our waitress, Kacy, made several tasty recommendations. Great for a group, great for dinner with a few friends. This location is perfect for a weeknight girls' night dinner as there is a pretty excellent nail shop just up the street. Don't forget to BYOB!
(4)

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Address : 2534 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL, 60614
Phone (773) 477-2788
Website https://www.twinsushi.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Kyoto Sushi Restaurant

2534 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614

Kyoto Sushi Restaurant Menu

Starters

Cold Appetizers

Sushi Or Sashimi

Kyoto Signature Rolls

Veggie Rolls

Healthy Meal suggestions for Kyoto Sushi Restaurant

Starters

Cold Appetizers

Sushi Or Sashimi

Kyoto Signature Rolls

Veggie Rolls

c d.

Chris L.

Marie B.

Ben S.

Christine K.

Jayson C.

Mark S.

Bill Z.

Chi N.

Heajung L.

Barbara D.

S K.

Erica T.

Milena M.

Alex A.

johnny b.

Stephen D.

christine c.

Anya F.

Cathy H.

Kiersten L.

Betty S.

Stephanie M.

Adam S.

A Z.

Kat S.

Richard K.

Maureen L.

Whitney S.

Lauren D.

K. A.

J Z.

Kevin S.

Miriam G.

Amada D.

Matt L.

Jared C.

Erica M.

Minnie L.

brian s.

Heather M.

Lezah G.

Judy L.

Yini G.

Edward H.

Elizabeth O.

Jason K.

Jeanine M.

Laura B.

Brooke D.

bohdan g.

Erica K.

Minda T.

Kelsey N.

Jen A.

Lizz Y.

Eddy C.

Gisela A.

Paul R.

A S.

Kristin P.

Jennifer G.

Aleah A.

Miranda M.

Jennifer L.